The east mountain area of central New Mexico includes the
eastern one-third of Bernalillo County and portions of Sandoval,
Santa Fe, and Torrance Counties. The area covers about 320 square
miles.
The Madera Limestone, the principal aquifer in the east mountain
area, is the sole source of water for domestic, municipal,
industrial, and agricultural uses for many residents. Some water is
imported from wells near Edgewood by the Entranosa Water
Cooperative, which serves a population of approximately 3,300.
The remaining population is served by small water systems that derive
supplies locally or by individually owned domestic wells.
The population of the east mountain area has increased
dramatically over the past 20 years. In 1970, the population of
the east mountain area was about 4,000. Demographic projections
suggest that approximately 1,000 people per year are moving into
the area, and with a growth rate of 3.0 percent the population will
be 16,700 in 2000. Consequently, ground-water withdrawals have
increased substantially over the past 20 years, and will continue
to increase.
Little is known about the flow characteristics and hydrogeologic
properties of the Madera Limestone. This report describes
existing information about the geologic and hydrologic framework
and flow characteristics of the Madera Limestone, and presents a
plan of study for data-collection activities and interpretive
studies that could be conducted to better define the hydrogeologic
characteristics of the Madera Limestone.
Data-collection activities and interpretive studies related
to the hydrogeologic components of the Madera Limestone are
prioritized. Activities that are necessary to improve the
quantification of a component are prioritized as essential.
Activities that could add additional understanding of a
component, but would not be necessary to improve the
quantification of a component, are prioritized as useful.
