Ground-Water Monitoring and Municipal Pumpage in Albuquerque

GROUND-WATER INVESTIGATION

Ground-Water Monitoring and Municipal Pumpage in the Albuquerque Area, Central New Mexico

Currently (2000), drinking water supplied to residents living in the Middle Rio Grande Basin (also referred to as the Albuquerque Basin) comes from ground-water resources. Recent studies completed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have improved understanding of the ground-water resources in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, particularly in the Albuquerque area. To obtain the kinds of information that are needed to plan for and manage the increased demand for water in the Albuquerque area, the USGS, in cooperation with the City of Albuquerque (City), New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, and Bernalillo County, has installed a series of ground-water monitoring sites (nested piezometers) in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, primarily in the Albuquerque area. Water-level data collected at these sites are representative of general conditions of the aquifer system and generally do not reflect the daily operations of individual City production wells.

The Middle Rio Grande Basin extends about 100 miles from north (near Cochiti) to south (near San Acacia) and is about 35 miles wide. The basin is bordered by the Sandia, Manzanita, Manzano, Los Pinos, and Jemez Mountains; the Sierra Ladrone to the south; and Mesa Lucero to about the Rio Puerco.

The aquifer system is part of the Santa Fe Group, which in places can be as much as 14,000 feet thick. Wells and piezometers are completed in the upper part of the aquifer system (in general, to a depth of about 2,000 feet or less). Ground-water monitoring sites and City production well fields, with associated production wells, are shown on the Albuquerque map which follows this text.

Why do we need these ground-water monitoring sites?

To better manage the aquifer system, it is extremely important to understand the relation between hydraulic-head (water-level) changes at different depths in the aquifer. At most sites, a deep piezometer is installed near the bottom of the City's production zone, another piezometer is installed near the middle of the production zone, and the shallowest piezometer is installed at the water table. Depth to the water table is variable, ranging from about 1 foot below land surface near the river to about 1,200 feet below land surface in other parts of the basin.

What requirements were met for the locations of the ground-water monitoring sites?

Monitoring sites are intended for long-term monitoring of the ground-water system. In addition to being located no less than one mile from a City production well, sites are located in areas that protect them from further development (for example, many are located in City parks).

What is monitored at these ground-water monitoring sites?

Hydraulic-head (water-level) and water-quality data are collected from specific zones in the aquifer system.

What will the data from these ground-water monitoring sites be used for?

Ground-water data collected at these sites will improve our understanding of ground-water resources in the Middle Rio Grande Basin and will help water resource managers better manage these resources. Water-level measurements indicate the vertical and horizontal direction of ground-water flow, and long-term measurements are used to determine changes in ground-water storage. Water-quality samples collected each year show changes in the quality of water at depth and over time.

Ground-Water Monitoring Sites and Well Fields in Albuquerque

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Page Last Modified: Monday, 21-Aug-2006 10:34:46 EDT (rwb)