The report provides an overview of the USGS in New Mexico,
including activities of the Water Resources, Geologic, and National Mapping
Divisions. Some USGS projects address hydrologic and geologic hazards,
such as flood discharges, landslides, and land subsidence. Recent
environmental assessments include participation in the Kirtland Air Force
Base Installation Restoration Program, erosion on the Zuni Reservation,
and ground-water contamination in eastern Bernalillo County. Water
availability studies have focused on ground-water depletion in the
Albuquerque Basin, recharge in the Roswell Basin, and the water
resources of Taos County. Irrigation drainage in the San Juan River area
and trace metals in a reach of the Rio Grande have been investigated.
The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program has two study
units partly located in New Mexico. Energy and mineral resource assess-
ments include gas resources in the San Juan Basin and environmental
impacts of mining in the Mimbres Resource Area. The USGS is studying the
extent of suitable habitat for Mexican Spotted Owls. Also discussed are
cartographic/thematic products and Geographical Information Systems;
surface-water, ground-water, and water-quality data-collection net-
works; and reports published from 1993 to 1995.
