Publications
This list of New Mexico Water Science Center publications spans from 1961 to the present. It includes both official USGS publications and journal articles authored by our scientists.
Filter Total Items: 371
Tracking the source of metals to the San Juan River Tracking the source of metals to the San Juan River
Introduction The San Juan River is a major water source for communities in the Four Corners Region of the United States (Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah) and is a vital source of water for the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency (NNEPA) periodically samples surface water on the Navajo Nation and has found that some elements exceed NNEPA surface water...
Authors
Johanna M. Blake, Shaleene B. Chavarria, Anne-Marie Matherne
3-D geologic controls of hydrothermal fluid flow at Brady geothermal field, Nevada, USA 3-D geologic controls of hydrothermal fluid flow at Brady geothermal field, Nevada, USA
In many hydrothermal systems, fracture permeability along faults provides pathways for groundwater to transport heat from depth. Faulting generates a range of deformation styles that cross-cut heterogeneous geology, resulting in complex patterns of permeability, porosity, and hydraulic conductivity. Vertical connectivity (a throughgoing network of permeable areas that allows advection of...
Authors
Drew L. Siler, Jeff D. Pepin
Geology and calcite deposition of Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave Geology and calcite deposition of Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave
No abstract available.
Authors
Johanna Blake
Discovery of a large subsoil nitrate reservoir in an arroyo floodplain and associated aquifer contamination Discovery of a large subsoil nitrate reservoir in an arroyo floodplain and associated aquifer contamination
In an area of elevated nitrate (NO3) groundwater concentrations in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in central New Mexico (United States), a large reservoir of nitrate was found in the subsoil of an arroyo floodplain. Nitrate inventories in the floodplain subsoils ranged from 10,000 to 38,000 kg NO3-N/ha—over twice as high as any previously measured arid region. The floodplain subsoil NO3...
Authors
Benjamin Shawn Linhoff, John Joseph Lunzer
National-scale reservoir thermal energy storage pre-assessment for the United States National-scale reservoir thermal energy storage pre-assessment for the United States
The U.S. Geological Survey is performing a pre-assessment of the cooling potential for reservoir thermal energy storage (RTES) in five generalized geologic regions (Basin and Range, Coastal Plains, Illinois Basin, Michigan Basin, Pacific Northwest) across the United States. Reservoir models are developed for the metropolitan areas of eight cities (Albuquerque, New Mexico; Charleston...
Authors
Jeff D. Pepin, Erick R. Burns, Jesse E. Dickinson, Leslie L. Duncan, Eve L. Kuniansky, Howard W. Reeves
Simulating hydrologic effects of wildfire on a small sub-alpine watershed in New Mexico, U.S. Simulating hydrologic effects of wildfire on a small sub-alpine watershed in New Mexico, U.S.
Streamflow records available before and after wildfire in a small, mixed conifer, sub-alpine monsoonal dominated watershed in New Mexico provided a unique opportunity to calibrate a watershed model (PRMS) for pre- and postfire conditions. The calibrated model was then used to simulate the hydrologic effects of fire. Simulated postfire surface runoff averaged 14.7 times greater than...
Authors
C. David Moeser, Kyle R. Douglas-Mankin
An integrated geochemical approach for defining sources of groundwater salinity in the southern Rio Grande Valley of the Mesilla Basin, New Mexico and west Texas, USA An integrated geochemical approach for defining sources of groundwater salinity in the southern Rio Grande Valley of the Mesilla Basin, New Mexico and west Texas, USA
A significantly elevated groundwater salinity zone was identified in the southern part of the Mesilla Valley. This investigation characterized the occurrence, spatial extent, and source of the plume of elevated groundwater salinity using a wide range of geochemical and geophysical data and methods.
Authors
Christopher Kubicki, Kenneth C. Carroll, James C. Witcher, Andrew J. Robertson
An assessment of uranium in groundwater in the Grand Canyon region An assessment of uranium in groundwater in the Grand Canyon region
The Grand Canyon region in northern Arizona is a home or sacred place of origin for many Native Americans and is visited by over 6 million tourists each year. Most communities in the area depend upon groundwater for all water uses. Some of the highest-grade uranium ore in the United States also is found in the Grand Canyon region. A withdrawal of over 1 million acres of Federal land in...
Authors
Fred D. Tillman, Kimberly R. Beisner, Jessica R. Anderson, Joel A. Unema
Optimization assessment of a groundwater-level observation network in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, New Mexico Optimization assessment of a groundwater-level observation network in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, New Mexico
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA), measures groundwater levels continuously (hourly) and discretely (semiannually and annually) at a network of wells and piezometers (hereafter called the observation network) within the Middle Rio Grande Basin in central New Mexico. Groundwater levels that are measured in...
Authors
Andre B. Ritchie, Jeff D. Pepin
Geomorphic survey of North Fork Eagle Creek, New Mexico, 2018 Geomorphic survey of North Fork Eagle Creek, New Mexico, 2018
About one-quarter of the water supply for the Village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, is from groundwater pumped from wells located along North Fork Eagle Creek in the National Forest System lands of the Lincoln National Forest near Alto, New Mexico. Because of concerns regarding the effects of groundwater pumping on surface-water hydrology in the North Fork Eagle Creek Basin and the effects of...
Authors
Alexander P. Graziano
Landscape and climatic influences on actual evapotranspiration and available water using the Operational Simplified Surface Energy Balance (SSEBop) Model in eastern Bernalillo County, New Mexico, 2015 Landscape and climatic influences on actual evapotranspiration and available water using the Operational Simplified Surface Energy Balance (SSEBop) Model in eastern Bernalillo County, New Mexico, 2015
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bernalillo County Public Works Division, conducted a 1-year study in 2015 to assess the spatial and temporal distribution of evapotranspiration (ET) and available water within the East Mountain area in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. ET and available water vary spatiotemporally because of complex interactions among environmental factors...
Authors
Kyle R. Douglas-Mankin, Ryan J. McCutcheon, Aurelia C. Mitchell, Gabriel B. Senay
Geochemical assessment of groundwater in the Big Chino subbasin, Arizona, 2011–18 Geochemical assessment of groundwater in the Big Chino subbasin, Arizona, 2011–18
A geochemical characterization of groundwater in the Big Chino subbasin of Arizona was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Prescott, the Town of Prescott Valley, and the Salt River Project, to understand groundwater evolution through the study area and the source of water to springs along the gaining reach of the Verde River just downstream from its...
Authors
Kimberly R. Beisner, Casey J. R. Jones