U.S. Geoligical Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5238
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Prepared in cooperation with San Miguel County, New Mexico Characterization of the Hydrologic Resources of San Miguel County, New Mexico, and Identification of Hydrologic Data Gaps, 2011 Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5238 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Cover: Canadian escarpment rising above the plains, northeastern San Miguel County (photograph by David Lutz). Characterization of the Hydrologic Resources of San Miguel County, New Mexico, and Identification of Hydrologic Data Gaps, 2011 By Anne Marie Matherne and Anne M. Stewart Prepared in cooperation with San Miguel County, New Mexico Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5238 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior KEN SALAZAR, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Marcia K. McNutt, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2012 This and other USGS information products are available at http://store.usgs.gov/ U.S. Geological Survey Box 25286, Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 To learn about the USGS and its information products visit http://www.usgs.gov/ 1-888-ASK-USGS Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report. Suggested citation: Matherne, A.M., and Stewart, A.M., 2012, Characterization of the hydrologic resources of San Miguel County, New Mexico, and identification of hydrologic data gaps, 2011: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5238, 44 p. iii Acknowledgments This study was conducted with the cooperation of San Miguel County, New Mexico. We would also like to thank Lani Tsinnajinnie and Catherine Lucero for their assistance with parts of this report. v Contents Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................................................iii Abstract ..........................................................................................................................................................1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................1 Purpose and Scope ......................................................................................................................................1 Physical Setting of San Miguel County .....................................................................................................2 Approach ......................................................................................................................................................11 Written Resources .............................................................................................................................11 Surface-Water Resources ...............................................................................................................11 Groundwater Resources ..................................................................................................................11 Data Gaps and Suggestions for Future Study ...............................................................................13 Characterization of the Hydrologic Resources of San Miguel County ..............................................13 Surface-Water Resources ...............................................................................................................13 Streamflow in the Pecos River and Tributaries ...................................................................15 Streamflow in the Gallinas River and Tributaries ................................................................18 Streamflow in the Canadian River and Tributaries ..............................................................18 Major Surface-Water Bodies and Springs ...........................................................................20 Surface-Water Budget and Potential for Groundwater Recharge from Streamflow ...................................................................................................................20 Surface-Water Quality .............................................................................................................21 Groundwater Resources ..................................................................................................................22 General Stratigraphic and Hydrogeologic Framework ......................................................22 General Structural Geology ....................................................................................................28 Current (2011) Understanding of Hydrogeologic Framework and Groundwater Conditions by Physiographic Area ...........................................................................28 Griggs and Hendrickson Area 1 ....................................................................................29 Griggs and Hendrickson Area 2 ....................................................................................31 Griggs and Hendrickson Area 3 ....................................................................................31 Area 3 – Taylor Well Field Area ............................................................................31 Griggs and Hendrickson Area 4 ....................................................................................32 Summary of Hydrogeologic Framework and Groundwater Conditions by Physiographic Area ...........................................................................................33 Data Gaps and Suggestions for Future Study ........................................................................................33 Data Gaps Identified and Suggestions for Future Study To Assess Surface-Water Resources ..............................................................................................................................33 Data Gaps Identified and Suggestions for Future Study To Assess Surface-Water/ Groundwater Interactions ..................................................................................................33 Data Gaps Identified and Suggestions for Future Study To Assess Groundwater Resources ..............................................................................................................................34 Data Gap Identified and Suggestions for Future Study: A Comprehensive Geographic Information System Hydrologic Geodatabase ................................................................35 Summary .......................................................................................................................................................35 Bibliography .................................................................................................................................................37 vi Figures 1. Maps showing the study area of San Miguel County, New Mexico ...................................3 2. Map showing major surface-water features and measurement sites, including precipitation and Snowpack Telemetry (SNOTEL) stations, crest-stage gages, and streamgages, in San Miguel County, New Mexico ........................................................5 3. Graphs showing mean monthly precipitation for the period of record and percent of mean annual precipitation at climate stations in San Miguel County, New Mexico .................................................................................................................................7 4. Graphs showing mean monthly discharge for the period of record for six streamgages in San Miguel and Guadalupe Counties, New Mexico .................................8 5. Map showing Griggs and Hendrickson physiographic areas and subareas, New Mexico Office of the State Engineer underground water basins, locations of wells in the U.S. Geological Survey groundwater-monitoring well network, and hydrographs for selected U.S. Geological Survey groundwater-monitoring wells with periods of record longer than 2 years in San Miguel County, New Mexico ...............................................................................................................................10 6. Graphs showing annual discharge for the period of record for six streamgages in San Miguel and Guadalupe Counties, New Mexico ........................................................16 7. Graphs showing probability that a given discharge will be equaled or exceeded for the period 1981–2010 for six streamgages in San Miguel and Guadalupe Counties, New Mexico .........................................................................................17 8. Graphs showing groundwater hydrographs for the period of record for U.S. Geological Survey monitoring wells with a period of record of 2 or more years within the vicinity of the Taylor well field, San Miguel County, New Mexico ...............................................................................................................................30 9. Graphs showing groundwater hydrographs for U.S. Geological Survey monitoring wells in the southern hogback area, San Miguel County, New Mexico ...............................................................................................................................32 vii Tables 1. Location of selected National Weather Service precipitation stations and Natural Resources Conservation