Aquifer Mapping Program (AMP)
Hydrogeologic Studies
Since the early 1990s, our staff have been engaged in hydrogeologic studies of New Mexico's aquifers in cooperation with partners at the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, the New Mexico Environment Department, the U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Program, and other federal, state, and local agencies. Beginning with geologic mapping and aquifer analysis in the Albuquerque Basin and a hydrogeology study in Placitas, we developed an Aquifer Mapping Program to apply a combination of geologic, geophysical, hydrologic, and geochemical information to develop descriptive models of groundwater flow in important aquifers around 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
- In past years, direct appropriation of AMP funds from the State Legislature
- Individual grants and contracts with collaborating agencies
The objective is to provide critically needed information on the state's groundwater. The products of AMP studies improve our understanding of the geologic framework of aquifers, their hydrologic characteristics, water levels in the aquifers and how they change over time, and the occurrence of natural contaminants such as arsenic and uranium that affect the potability of groundwater. Results of these works have contributed to resource management tools such as long-term aquifer monitoring networks and conceptual and quantitative regional ground-water-flow models used by State and local water managers.
View our Aquifer Mapping Program Brochure for more information.
Contact Us
Laila Sturgis — Aquifer Mapping Program Manager, (575) 835-5327
