Stratigraphy and geologic structure of uppermost Cretaceous and Tertiary rocks of the east-central part of the San Juan Basin, New Mexico
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Open-File Report↗
SEARCH · Search USGS
Results for “New Mexico Geology”
Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Water resources data, New Mexico, water year 1995
Water-resources data for the 1995 water year for New Mexico consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality in wells and springs. This report contains discharge records for 194 gaging stations; stage and contents for 26 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 53 gaging stations and 112 wells; and water levels at 128 observation wells. Also included are 106 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in New Mexico.
New Mexico↗
Water Resources Data, New Mexico, Water Year 1996
Water resources data for the 1996 water year for New Mexico consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality in wells and springs. This report contains discharge records for 172 gaging stations; stage and contents for 26 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 51 gaging stations and 19 wells; and water levels at 126 observation wells. Also included are 82 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in New Mexico.
New Mexico↗
Water resources data, New Mexico, water year 1985
Water resources data for the 1985 water year for New Mexico consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; stage, contents and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality in wells and springs. This report contains discharge records for 168 gaging stations; stage and contents for 25 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 65 gaging stations and 179 wells; and water levels at 111 observation wells. Also included are 138 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not involved in the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. Also, one seepage investigation is published this year. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in New Mexico.
New Mexico↗
Water resources data, New Mexico, water year 1986
Water resources data for the 1986 water year for New Mexico consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; stage, contents and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality in wells and springs. This report contains discharge records for 166 gaging stations; stage and contents for 24 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 64 gaging stations and 168 wells; and water levels at 111 observation wells. Also included are 135 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not involved in the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. Also, one seepage investigation is published this year. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in New Mexico.
New Mexico↗
Water resources data, New Mexico, water year 1988
Water resources data for the 1988 water year for New Mexico consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; stage, contents and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality in wells and springs. This report contains discharge records for 165 gaging stations; stage and contents for 26 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 64 gaging stations and 76 wells; and water levels at 105 observation wells. Also included are 108 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not involved in the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. Also, one seepage investigation is published this year. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in New Mexico.
New Mexico↗
Water Resources Data, New Mexico, Water Year 1991
Water-resources data for the 1991 water year for New Mexico consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; stage, contents and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality in wells and springs. This report contains discharge records for-183 gaging stations; stage and contents for 25 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 66 gaging stations and 54 wells; and water. levels at 116 observation wells. Also included are 110 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites, not involved in the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. Also, 1 seepage investigation is published this year. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in New Mexico.
New Mexico↗
United States Geological Survey's hydrogeological research programs and plans related to disposal of radioactive waste into geologic formations
The Geological Survey, United States Department of Interior, has cooperated with the United States Energy Research and Development Administration, formerly the Atomic Energy Commission, for more than 30 years on research related to the disposal of radioactive waste into geological formations. Results of most of this research effort have been published or otherwise released and references to them are in lists of publications of the Geological Survey. Hydrogeological field studies currently underway evaluate bedded salt deposits in New Mexico and Utah, a salt dome in the Gulf Coast region, and shales in the Rocky Mountain area for their potential as host geological formations for high-level waste repositories. Detailed field studies of the potential migration of waste nuclides from shallow land burial sites of low-level waste in Idaho and Tennessee are also underway. As a part of its own research program, the Geological Survey has initiated geochemical and digital model studies of waste transport at four of its research centers. At the same time field studies on the hydrogeology of four state-owned low-level radioactive solid waste burial grounds are being made to provide the field observations of waste migration needed to test the theoretical and laboratory approaches. Hydrogeological criteria will be developed for use in the selection of future radioactive waste disposal sites.
Idaho, New Mexico, Tennessee, Utah↗
Aeromagnetic map of the El Malpais Instant Study Area and adjacent areas, Valencia County, New Mexico
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (Public Law 94-579, October 21, 1976), requires the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Bureau of Mines to conduct mineral surveys on certain areas to determine their mineral resource potential. Results must be made available to the public and be submitted to the President and the Congress. This report presents the results of a mineral survey of the El Malpais Instant Study Area and adjacent areas, Valencia County, New Mexico.
New Mexico↗
Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP) leachate chemistry data for solid mine-waste composite samples from southwestern New Mexico, and Leadville, Colorado
This report details chemistry data derived from leaching of mine-waste composite samples using a modification of E.P.A. Method 1312, Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP). In 1998, members of the U.S. Geological Survey Mine Waste Characterization Project collected four mine-waste composite samples from mining districts in southwestern New Mexico (CAR and PET) and near Leadville, Colorado (TUC and MII). Resulting leachate pH values for the four composites ranged from 5.45 to 8.84 and ranked in the following order: CAR < TUC < MII < PET. Specific conductivity values ranged from 85 uS/cm to 847 uS/cm in the following order: PET < MII < CAR < TUC. Geochemical data generated from this investigation reveal that leachate from the CAR composite contains the highest concentrations of Pb, Zn, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cd, and Al
Open-File Report↗
Hydrogeology of the Point Lookout Sandstone in the San Juan structural basin, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah
This report is one in a series resulting from the U.S. Geological Survey's Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (RASA) study of the San Juan structural basin that began in October 1984. Previous reports in the series describe the hydrogeology of the Dakota Sandstone (Craigg and others, 1989), Morrison Formation (Dam and others, 1990), Gallup Sandstone (Kernodle and others, 1989), Menefee Formation (Levings and others, 1990), and Cliff House Sandstone (Thorn and others, 1990), in the San Juan structural basin. The purposes of the RASA (Welder, 1986) are to: (1) Define and evaluate the aquifer system; (2) assess the effects of past, present, and potential ground-water use on aquifers and streams; and (3) determine the availability and quality of ground water. This report summarizes information on the geology and the occurrence and quality of water in the Point Lookout Sandstone, one of the primary water-bearing units in the regional aquifer system. Data used in this report were collected during the study or were derived from existing records in the U.S. Geological Survey's computerized National Water Information System (NWIS) data base, the Petroleum Information Corporation's database, and the Dwight's ENERGYDATA Inc. BRIN data base. Although all data available for the Point Lookout Sandstone were considered in formulating the discussions in the text, not all those data could be plotted on the illustrations. The San Juan structural basin is in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah and has an area of about 21,600 square miles (fig. 1). The structural basin is about 140 miles wide and about 200 miles long. The study area is that part of the structural basin that contains rocks of Triassic or younger age and, therefore, is less areally extensive than the structural basin. Triassic through Tertiary sedimentary rocks are emphasized in this study because the major aquifers in the basin are present in these rocks. The study area is about 140 miles wide (about the same as the structural basin), 180 miles long, and has an area of about 19,400 square miles. Altitudes in the study area range from about 4,500 feet in San Juan County, Utah, to about 11,000 feet in Cibola County, New Mexico. Annual precipitation in the high mountainous areas along the north and east margins of the basin is as much as 45 inches, whereas annual precipitation in the lower altitude, central basin is generally less than 8 inches. Mean annual precipitation in the study area is about 12 inches. Data obtained from documents published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1980 and 1985, were used to estimate the population of the study area. The population of the study area in 1970 was estimated to be about 134,000. The population rose to about 194,000 in 1980, 212,000 in 1982, 221,000 in 1984, and then fell to about 210,000 in 1985. The economy of the basin is supported by exploration and development of petroleum, natural gas, coal, and uranium resources; urban enterprise, farming "and ranching; tourism; and recreation. The rise and fall in population were related to changes in the economic strength of the mining, petroleum, and natural-gas industries, and support services. Uranium mining and milling activities grew rapidly until the late 1970's when most uranium-mining activity ended in the study area. Likewise, the oil and gas industry prospered until about 1983 and then declined rapidly, also affecting many jobs in support industries.
Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah↗
Hydrogeology of the Pictured Cliffs Sandstone in the San Juan structural basin, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah
This report is one in a series resulting from the U.S. Geological Survey's Regional Aquifer System Analysis (RASA) study of the San Juan structural basin that began in October 1984. The purposes of the study (Welder, 1986) are to: (1) Define and evaluate the aquifer system; (2) assess the effects of past, present, and potential ground-water use on aquifers and streams, and (3) determine the availability and quality of ground water. Previous reports in this series describe the hydrogeology of the Dakota Sandstone (Craigg and others, 1989), Gallup Sandstone (Kernodle and others, 1989), Morrison Formation (Dam and others, 1990), Point Lookout Sandstone (Craigg and others, 1990), Kirtland Shale and Fruitland Formation (Kernodle and others, 1990), Menefee Formation (Levings and others, 1990), Cliff House Sandstone (Thorn and others, 1990), and Ojo Alamo Sandstone (Thorn and others, 1990) in the San Juan structural basin. This report summarizes information on the geology and the occurrence and quality of water in the Pictured Cliffs Sandstone, one of the primary water-bearing units in the regional aquifer system. Data used in this report were collected during the RASA study or derived from existing records in the U.S. Geological Survey's computerized National Water Information System (NWIS) data base, the Petroleum Information Corporation's data base, and the Dwight's ENERGYDATA Inc. BRIN database. Although all data available for the Pictured Cliffs Sandstone were considered in formulating the discussions in the text, not all those data could be plotted on the illustrations. The San Juan structural basin in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah has an area of about 21,600 square miles (fig. 1). The structural basin is about 140 miles wide and about 200 miles long. The study area is that part of the structural basin that contains rocks of Triassic and younger age; therefore, the study area is less extensive than the structural basin. Triassic through Tertiary sedimentary rocks are emphasized in this study because these units are the major aquifers in the basin. The study area is about 140 miles wide (about the same as the structural basin), 180 miles long, and has an area of about 19,400 square miles. Altitudes in the study area range from about 4,500 feet in southeastern Utah, to about 11,000 feet in the southeastern part of the basin. The area-weighted mean altitude is about 6,700 feet. Annual precipitation in the high mountainous areas along the north and east margins of the basin is as much as 45 inches, whereas annual precipitation in the lower altitude, central basin is generally less than 8 inches. Mean annual precipitation is about 12 inches. Data obtained from documents published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census (1980 and 1985) were used to calculate the population of the study area. The population in 1970 was calculated to be about 134,000. The population increased to about 194,000 in 1980,212,000 in 1982,221,000 in 1984, and then declined to about 210,000 in 1985. The economy of the basin is supported by exploration and development of natural gas, petroleum, coal, and uranium resources; urban enterprise; farming and ranching tourism, and recreation. The rise and fall in population were related to changes in the economic strength of the minerals, oil, and gas industries, and support services. Uranium-mining and -milling activities underwent rapid growth until the late 1970's when most uranium-mining activity came to an abrupt end. Likewise, the oil and gas industry prospered until about 1983 and then declined rapidly.
Hydrologic Atlas↗
Hydrogeology of the Cliff House Sandstone in the San Juan structural basin, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah
This report is one in a series resulting from the U.S. Geological Survey's Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (RASA) study of the San Juan structural basin that began in October 1984. Previous reports in the series describe the hydrogeology of the Dakota Sandstone (Craigg and others, 1989), Point Lookout Sandstone (Craigg and others, 1990), Morrison Formation (Dam and others, 1990), Gallup Sandstone (Kernodle and others, 1989), and Menefee Formation (Levings and others, 1990) in the San Juan structural basin. The purposes of the RASA (Welder, 1986) are to: (1) Define and evaluate the aquifer system; (2) assess the effects of past, present, and potential ground-water use on aquifers and streams; and (3) determine the availability and quality of ground water. This report summarizes information on the geology and the occurrence and quality of water in the Cliff House Sandstone, one of the primary water-bearing units in the regional aquifer system. Data used in this report were collected during the study or were derived from existing records in the U.S. Geological Survey's computerized National Water Information System (NWIS) data base, the Petroleum Information Corporation's data base, and the Dwight's ENERGYDATA Inc. BRIN data base. Although all data available for the Cliff House Sandstone were considered in formulating the discussions in the text, not all those data could be plotted on the illustrations. The San Juan structural basin is in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah and has an area of about 21,600 square miles (fig. 1). The structural basin is about 140 miles wide and about 200 miles long. The study area is that part of the structural basin that contains rocks of Triassic or younger age and, therefore, is less extensive than the structural basin. Triassic through Tertiary sedimentary rocks are emphasized in this study because the major aquifers in the basin are present in these rocks. The study area is about 140 miles wide (about the same as the structural basin), 180 miles long, and has an area of about 19,400 square miles. Altitudes in the study area range from about 4,500 feet in San Juan County, Utah, to about 11,000 feet in Cibola County, New Mexico. Annual precipitation in the high mountainous areas along the north and east margins of the basin is as much as 45 inches, whereas annual precipitation in the lower altitude, central basin is generally less than 8 inches. Mean annual precipitation in the study area is about 12 inches. Data obtained from documents published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1980 and 1985, were used to estimate the population of the study area. The population of the study area in 1970 was estimated to be about 134,000. The population rose to about 194,000 in 1980, 212,000 in 1982, 221,000 in 1984, and then fell to about 210,000 in 1985. The economy of the basin is supported by exploration and development of petroleum, natural gas, coal, and uranium resources; urban enterprise, farming and ranching; tourism; and recreation. The rise and fall in population were related to changes in the economic strength of the mining, petroleum, and natural-gas industries, and support services. Uranium mining and milling activities grew rapidly until the late 1970's when most uranium-mining activity ended in the study area. Likewise, the oil and gas industry prospered until about 1983 and then declined rapidly, also affecting many jobs in support industries.
Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah↗
Infrared imagery of Lordsburg-Silver City area, New Mexico
Night time infrared imagery of the area between Lordsburg and Silver City, New Mexico, indicates numerous applications of studies of the geology and hydrology of desert regions. Tertiary volcanic rocks consisting of flows and welded tuffs show good tonal contrasts within themselves. Precambrian granites and gneisses appear mottled. Water courses appear as dark streaks, cold water springs as dark patches, and water standing in ponds and reservoirs is bright in contrast to the darker (cooler) surrounding materials.
New Mexico↗
Conversion and comparison of the mathematical, three-dimensional, finite-difference, ground-water flow model to the modular, three-dimensional, finite-difference, ground-water flow model for the Tesuque aquifer system in northern New Mexico
The three-dimensional finite-difference groundwater model (using a mathematical groundwater flow code) of the Tesuque aquifer system in northern New Mexico was converted to run using the U.S. Geological Survey 's modular groundwater flow code. Results from the final versions of the predevelopment and 1947 to 2080 transient simulations of the two models are compared. A correlation coefficient of 0.9905 was obtained for the match in block-by-block head-dependent fluxes for predevelopment conditions. There are, however, significant differences in at least two specific cases. In the first case, a difference is associated with the net loss from the Pojoaque River and its tributaries to the aquifer. The net loss by the river is given as 1.134 cu ft/sec using the original groundwater model, which is 38.1% less than the net loss by the river of 1.8319 cu ft/sec computed in this study. In the second case, the large difference is computed for the transient decline in the hydraulic head of a model block near Tesuque Pueblo. The hydraulic-head decline by 2080 is, using the original model, 249 ft, which is 14.7% less than the hydraulic head of 292 ft computed by this study. In general, the differences between the two sets of results are not large enough to lead to different conclusions regarding the behavior of the system at steady state or when pumped. (USGS)
Open-File Report↗
An approach for appraising the accuracy of suspended-sediment data
Procedures are presented for appraising the accuracy of suspended-sediment data. Types of errors involved are sampling error, spatial error, temporal error, and sediment-discharge error. The standard error of estimate is used to represent errors. Suspended-sediment data for 17 U.S. Geological Survey gaging stations in Arizona, California, Nebraska, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Washington are used in applications of the procedures. For the study sites, the magnitudes of the different types of error apparently vary directly with percentage of sediment-water mixture that is sand; when the percentage sand is relatively high, magnitudes of the different types of error have a relatively wide range. For seven sites of the Sacramento River , Calif., and its tributaries, the standard sampling error apparently can range from 2.5 percent when percentage sand is relatively low to 20 percent when percentage sand is relatively high. For 16 sites in Arizona, California, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania, the coefficient of variation for concentrations of suspended sediment across streams apparently can range from 2.5 percent (low percentage sand) to 70 percent (high percentage sand). (USGS)
Professional Paper↗