Hydrogeologic framework of the Mesilla Basin in New Mexico and western Texas

Hydrogeothermal studies in the Albuquerque Basin--a geophysical investigation of ground water flow characteristics

“…Heat flow data estimated from petroleum bottom hole temperatures indicate that the Albuquerque Basin has intermediate heat flows of about 80 mW /m 2 in the northern part and high heat flows of about 100 mW /m 2 in the southern part approximately coincident with the Tijeras lineament (Reiter et al, 1986). Hawley et al (1995) illustrate a hypothetical distribution of lithofacies from the Rio Grande to the eastern uplifts; the lithofacies appear to dip from a few degrees near the eastern boundary to little if any dip in much of the basin floor. Water level data show that water in the alluvial basin aquifer should generally flow from higher bordering eastern areas southwestward toward the Rio Grande, and then southward subparallel to the Rio Grande (Titus, 1961;Bjorklund and Maxwell, 1961;Anderholm, 1988).…”

“…In addition the present day water elevations are higher along the Rio Grande than in the adjoining areas to the east and west (Connell et al, 1998b). Ground water flow is complicated by variation of hydraulic conductivity both in the varying lithofacies (Hawley et al, 1995) and in the numerous faults that may act as either conduits or seals to ground water flow (e.g., Smith, 1996;Foster and Smith, 1988;Levens et al, 1994;Haneberg, 1995;Reiter, 1999;Sigda et al, 1999).…”

Preliminary study of the geologic framework of the Colorado Plateau-Middle Rio Grande Basin transition, New Mexico.

“…The overlying Cretaceous succession is dominated by shale and is regionally considered a low-permeability group of units (Stone et al, 1983), although high-permeability sandstone beds are recognized within the Cretaceous section (i.e., Dakota Formation, Gallup, Dalton, and Hosta Sandstones, and Point Lookout Sandstone). Much of the Cenozoic section contains the productive Santa Fe Group regional aquifer system, which has been investigated by previous workers (e.g., Hawley et al, 1995;and McAda and Barroll, 2002). Volcanic features are typically fed by relative thin and narrow dikes and probably do not impose strong barriers to regional groundwater flow.…”

“…Hydrogeologic investigations in the study area include studies of the San Andres-Glorieta aquifer (Summers and Kottlowski, 1969;and Baldwin and Anderholm, 1992); Jemez River and northwestern Albuquerque Basin (Craigg, 1992); Colorado Plateau and San Juan Basin (Risser and Lyford, 1983;Stone et al, 1983;Craigg et al, 1989 and1990;Kernodle et al, 1989Kernodle et al, , 1990Dam et al, 1990a, b;Levings et al, 1990a, b;and Thorn et al, 1990a, b); and the MRGB (Titus, 1963;Hawley et al, 1995;Thorn et al, 1993;McAda and Barroll, 2002;Sanford et al, 2004;. Hydrogeologic characteristics of the stratigraphy exposed along the northern flank of the Sandia Mountains were also examined in detail by Johnson et al (2002).…”

“…Deposition occurred within broad fault-bounded basins (Bachman and Mehnert, 1978;Chapin and Cather, 1994;and Connell, 2004). Detrital composition of the Santa Fe Group reflects the composition of upland drainages, and varies from sedimentary to Cenozoic volcanic, and Proterozoic plutonic and metamorphic rock types (Lozinsky, 1994;Hawley et al, 1995;and Connell, 2004). The combined thickness of the Santa Fe Group fill ranges from about 10,000-16,400 ft (3-5 km)…”