Aquifer Mapping Program (AMP)

WHAT IS AQUIFER MAPPING?

Aquifer mapping is a scientific process wherein a combination of geologic, geophysical, hydrologic, and chemical field and laboratory analyses are applied to characterize the quantity, quality, and "sustainability" of groundwater in aquifers.

Users and Beneficiaries of AMP Science

New Mexico Office of the State Engineer and Interstate Stream Commission
New Mexico Environment Department
New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources
State Lands Office
Federal Agencies (e.g. Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U. S. Forest Service, and U. S. Geological Survey)
Municipalities, pueblos and water utilities
County land-use planners
Private Consultants
Home owners and rural water users
Developers, realtors and home buyers

AMP Products Support a Variety of Needs and Applications

Water rights administration and management
Water quality impairment from naturally occurring contaminants (uranium, arsenic)
Ecosystem hydrology
Water availability and sustainability
Drought management and vulnerability assessment
Development of deep or saline water sources

Hydrogeologic Studies

The Aquifer Mapping Program officially began in 2007 with broad goals to map and characterize New Mexico’s aquifers, providing information on hydrogeology, depth to water, groundwater flow directions, recharge processes, water quality characteristics, as well as water quantity estimation. This work is accomplished by compilation of numerous existing data resources, as well as collection of new data, such as geologic mapping, geophysical surveys, water chemistry sampling and measurement and tracking of groundwater level changes.

The Aquifer Mapping Program, through philanthropic support from Healy Foundation starting in 2016, also launched the Healy Collaborative Groundwater-level Monitoring Network. This network provides critical, baseline information on groundwater trends through collaborative data collection and regular depth to water measurements across the state.

Aquifer mapping projects are funded through a combination of sources:

The base budget of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources
Occasional direct appropriations from the State Legislature
Philanthropic grants and donations
Grants and work contracts with collaborating state, federal or local agencies/organizations

View our Aquifer Mapping Program Brochure for more information on current projects.

Contact Us

Laila Sturgis — Aquifer Mapping Program Manager, (575) 835-5327

Pecos Slope 3D geologic model — 3D geologic model of the Pecos Slope in southeast NM. View our story map for more details.