Geology topics

D.R. Rankin

Publications and source records attributed to D.R. Rankin.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2000

Water-quality and ground-water-level trends, 1990-99, and data collected from 1995 through 1999, East Mountain area, Bernalillo County, central New Mexico

Bernalillo County officials recognize the importance of monitoring water quality and ground-water levels in rapidly developing areas. For this reason, water-quality and ground-water- level data were collected from 87 wells, 3 springs, and the Ojo Grande Acequia in the east mountain area of Bernalillo County between January 1990 and June 1999. The water samples were analyzed for selected nutrient species; total organic carbon; major dissolved constituents; methylene blue active substances; and dissolved arsenic. Analytical results were used to compute hardness, sodium adsorption ratio, and dissolved solids. Specific conductance, pH, air and water temperature, alkalinity, and dissolved oxygen were measured in the field at the time of sample collection. Ground-water levels were measured at the time of sample collection. From January 1990 through June 1993, water-quality and ground- water-level data were collected monthly from an initial set of 20 wells; these data were published in a 1995 report. During 1995, water samples and ground-water-level data were collected and analyzed from the initial set of 20 wells and from an additional 31 wells, 2 springs, and the Ojo Grande Acequia; these data were published in a 1996 report. Additional water-quality and ground-water-level data have been collected from sites in the east mountain area: 34 wells and the acequia during 1997, 14 wells and 1 spring during 1998, and 6 wells during 1999. Water-quality and ground- water-level data collected in the east mountain area during 1995 through 1999 are presented in tables. In addition, temporal trends for ground-water levels, concentrations of total and dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, concentrations of dissolved chloride, and specific conductance are presented for 20 selected wells in water-quality and water- level hydrographs.

Open-File Report↗

USGS2000

Description of piezometers installed in the middle Rio Grande basin area, 1997-99, central New Mexico

Since 1993, the Santa Fe Group aquifer system in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, and particularly in the Albuquerque area, has been the focus of studies to further define the extent of the most productive parts of the aquifer and to gain a better understanding of how ground- water levels are changing over time. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, installed nine piezometers during 1998-99 at five sites in and near the margin of the Middle Rio Grande Basin in central New Mexico. In addition, the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer installed another nine piezometers at three sites during 1997. These piezometers allow for collection of ground-water-level data in areas for which little information is available. Most of the piezometers were constructed of 2.5-inch-diameter flush-joint polyvinyl chloride (PVC) schedule 80 casing with 10-foot stainless steel screens; the shallow piezometer at the Tome site has a 40-foot screen, and the single piezometers at the Dome Road and Phoenix Road sites have steel casing with welded joints and a 10- and a 20-foot screen, respectively. Steel casing with a locking lid covers the uppermost 2 feet of the piezometer casing. Drillers' logs and petrophysical logs were collected from the deepest borehole at each site.

Open-File Report↗

USGS1999

Plan of study to define hydrogeologic characteristics of the Madera Limestone in the east mountain area of central New Mexico

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.

Open-File Report↗

USGS1998

Water-level data for the Albuquerque Basin, central New Mexico, period of record through 1997

The Albuquerque Basin, located in central New Mexico, is about 100 miles long and 25 to 40 miles wide. The basin is defined as the extent of Cenozoic deposits that encompass the structural Rio Grande Rift within the basin. Drinking-water supplies throughout the Albuquerque Basin are obtained solely from ground-water resources. The population of the basin grew from 419,000 in 1980 to 563,600 in 1990, a 34-percent increase, and resulted in increases in water demand and ground-water pumpage. Between April 1982 and September 1983, a network of wells was established to monitor changes in ground- water levels throughout the Albuquerque Basin. Water-level data were collected at 85 wells and piezometers for the period of record through 1997. Water-level data currently (1997) are collected annually at sites 11 and 53-57; semiannually at sites 1-10, 75, and 82; quarterly at sites 12-52, 64-74, 76, 77, 79-81, 84, and 85; monthly at sites 58-60, 78, and 83; and hourly at sites 61-63.

Open-File Report↗

USGS1996

Water-quality and ground-water-level data, Bernalillo County, central New Mexico, 1995

Water-quality and ground-water-level data were collected in two areas of eastern Bernalillo County in central New Mexico between March and July of 1995. Fifty-one wells, two springs, and the Ojo Grande Acequia in the east mountain area of Bernalillo County and nine wells in the northeast area of the city of Albuquerque were sampled. The water samples were analyzed for selected nutrient species; total organic carbon; major dissolved constituents; dissolved arsenic, boron, iron, and manganese; and methylene blue active substances. Analytical results were used to compute hardness, sodium adsorption ratio, and dissolved solids. Specific conductance, pH, temperature, and alkalinity were measured in the field at the time of sample collection. Ground- water-level and well-depth measurements were made at the time of sample collection when possible. Water-quality data, ground- water-level data, and well-depth data are presented in tabular form.

Open-File Report↗

USGS1995

Hydrogeology of Cibola County, New Mexico

The hydrogeology of Cibola County, New Mexico, was evaluated to determine the occurrence, availability, and quality of ground-water resources. Rocks of Precambrian through Quaternary age are present in Cibola County. Most rocks are sedimentary in origin except for Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks exposed in the Zuni Uplift and Tertiary and Quaternary basalts in northern and central parts of the county. The most productive aquifers in the county include (youngest to oldest) Quaternary deposits, sandstones in the Mesaverde Group, the Dakota-Zuni-Bluff aquifer, the Westwater Canyon aquifer, the Todilto- Entrada aquifer, sandstone beds in the Chinle Formation, and the San Andres-Glorieta aquifer. Unconsolidated sand, silt, and gravel form a mantle ranging from a few inches to 150 to 200 feet over much of the bedrock in Cibola County. Well yields range from 5 to 1,110 gallons per minute. Dissolved-solids concentrations of ground water range from 200 to more than 5,200 milligrams per liter. Calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, and sulfate are the predominant ions in ground water in alluvial material. The Mesaverde Group mainly occurs in three areas of the county. Well yields range from less than 1 to 12 gallons per minute. The predominant ions in water from wells in the Mesaverde Group are calcium, sodium, and bicarbonate. The transition from calcium-predominant to sodium-predominant water in the southwestern part of the county likely is a result of ion exchange. Wells completed in the Dakota-Zuni-Bluff aquifer yield from 1 to 30 gallons per minute. Dissolved-solids concentrations range from 220 to 2,000 milligrams per liter in water from 34 wells in the western part of the county. Predominant ions in the ground water include calcium, sodium, sulfate, and bicarbonate. Calcium predominates in areas where the aquifer is exposed at the surface or is overlain with alluvium. Sandstones in the Chinle Formation yield from 10 to 300 gallons per minute to wells in the Grants-Bluewater area. In the western part of the county, sodium and bicarbonate predominate in water from the Chinle Formation. In the eastern part of the county, water quality is more variable than elsewhere and the predominant constituents include calcium, sodium, sulfate, and chloride. Well yields from the San Andres-Glorieta aquifer in the Grants- Bluewater area are as much as 2,830 gallons per minute, whereas the maximum recorded pumping rate from the aquifer in other areas of the county is 88 gallons per minute. Dissolved-solids concentrations of ground-water range from about 130 to 4,200 milligrams per liter, and the water generally is a calcium bicarbonate sulfate type.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

USGS1994

Chemical, geologic, and hydrologic data from the Little Colorado River basin, Arizona and New Mexico, 1988-91

In June 1988, The U.S. Geological Survey began a 4-year study of the occurrence and movement of radionuclides and other chemical constituents in ground water and surface water in the Little Colorado River basin in Arizona and New Mexico. Radionuclides and other chemical constituents occur naturally in water, rock, and sediment throughout the region; however, discharge of mine--dewatering effluents released by mining operations increased the quantity of radionuclides and other chemical contaminants. Additionally, in 1979, the failure of a tailings-pond dike resulted in the largest known single release of water contaminated by uranium tailings in the United States. Ground-water data and surface-water data were collected from July 1988 through September 1991. Sixty-nine wells were sampled, and collected data include well- construction information, lithologic logs, water levels and chemical analysis of water samples. The wells include 31 wells drilled by the U.S. Geological Survey, 7 wells drilled by the New Mexico Environment Department, 11 private wells, and 20 temporary drive-point wells; in addition, 1 spring was sampled. Data from nine continual-record and five partial-record stxeamflow-gaging stations include daily mean discharge, daily mean suspended-sediment concentration and discharge, and chemical analysis for discrete water and sediment samples. Precipitation data also were collected at the nine continual-record stations.

Open-File Report↗