Hydrologic interpretation of geophysical data from the southeastern Hueco Bolson, El Paso, and Hudspeth Counties, Texas

Abstract

Airborne-electromagnetic and earth-resistivity surveys were used to explore for fresh ground water in the Hueco Bolson southeast of El Paso, Texas. Aerial surveys were made along about 500 miles (800 km) of flight line, and 67 resistivity soundings were made along 110 miles (180 km) of profile. The surveys did not indicate the presence of any large bodies of fresh ground water, but several areas may be underlain by small to moder ate amounts of fresh to slightly saline water.

Geologic setting and geochemistry of thermal water and geothermal assessment, Trans-Pecos Texas. Final report, June 1, 1976-May 31, 1977

“…Basins created by faulting have been accumulating sediments shed off the adjacent highlands since early Miocene (Stevens, 1969). There are as much as 2750 m (9000 f t ) of sedimentary f i l l i n the Hueco Bolson east o f E l Paso (Gates, 1976), but'-PreSidio Bolson and Lobo Valley probably do not contain more than 900 t o 1370 m (3000 t o 4500 f t ) .…”

Availability of fresh and slightly saline ground water in the basins of westernmost Texas

“…Vertical electrical soundings were made at 175 locations in the Salt Basin, Presidio bolson, Eagle Flat, Green River Valley, and Red Light Draw; at 65 locations in the lower Mesilla Valley; and at 67 locations in the southeastern Hueco bolson. Interpretations of the soundings in the Salt Basin and adjacent areas and limited interpretations of the soundings in the lower Mesilla Valley are included in this report; interpretations of soundings in the southeastern Hueco bolson are included in Gates and Stanley (1976).…”

“…The airborne-electromagnetic surveys were made in the southeastern Hueco bolson (Gates and Stanley, 1976) and in the Salt Basin. The survey in the Salt Basin consisted of 24 flight lines, generally east-west and spaced about 2 miles (3 km) apart, between a point about 4 miles (6 km) north of Van Horn and U.S. Highway 62-180 ( fig.…”

“…White and others (1977) compiled the hydrologic data, and Gates and White (1976) summarized results of the test-drilling program. Gates and Stanley (1976) interpreted the geophysical data in the southeastern Hueco bolson in terms of the hydrology. Zohdy, Bisdorf, and Gates (1976) compiled the earth-resistivity data collected in the lower Mesilla Valley.…”

“…26a,b), the thickness of material potentially saturated with freshwater is shown. This thickness, which is defined as all intervals below the water table having a resistivity of more than 20 ohmmeters; was obtained from figure 6 of Gates and Stanley (1976). The resistivity data show little potentially freshwater-bearing material southeast of El Paso.…”