### PLAN OF STUDY: HYDROLOGIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE UPPER RIO HONDO BASIN, LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO

# Introduction

The Upper Rio Hondo Basin, which is comprised of the Rio Bonito and Rio
Ruidoso drainages, lies primarily within Lincoln County, in
south-central New Mexico (figure 1). During the 1990's, the population
of three incorporated areas within the Basin - Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs,
and Capitan - increased by 67 percent, 98 percent, and 71 percent,
respectively (U.S. Census Bureau, 2005). There is concern among
residents and government officials that the increase in water use
associated with population growth may result in a decline of
ground-water levels and a corresponding decrease in streamflow. There
also is concern that, because wastewater from individual residences
typically is treated by an individual sewage disposal system (ISDS),
domestic wastewater disposal may be negatively impacting water quality.
The New Mexico Environment Department (2000) has stated that septic
tanks are, "...the single largest source of ground-water pollution in
the State." Accordingly, the US Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation
with Lincoln County, New Mexico has designed a four-phase study to
assess and characterize water resources in the Upper Rio Hondo Basin.

During Phase I, conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey during 2001-04,
existing precipitation, streamflow, ground-water-level, and aquifer-test
data were compiled and published (Donohoe, 2004). Ground-water levels
were measured during 2003 and compared with historical ground-water
levels collected in the 1950s by Mourant (1963). This Plan of Study is
the product of Phase II. Phase III will be the implementation of this
plan. Phase IV will include in-depth analysis and interpretation of
historical data and data collected during Phase III of this study, and
will result in a published interpretive report characterizing hydrologic
conditions in the Upper Rio Hondo Basin.

Implementation of this plan of study will result in information that,
when analyzed and interpreted, will provide Upper Rio Hondo Basin
citizens,ondo Basin planners, and decision makers at the

**Figure 1 here.**

Local, County, State, and Federal levels with an improved understanding
of the hydrology of the Basin. This improved understanding will assist
decision-makers in making water-resource-related decisions that will
help ensure the sustainability of water resources in the basin.

This plan of study is a working document and is subject to revision.
During Phase III, this document will be reviewed periodically and where
appropriate, will be revised, to reflect knowledge gained from results
of the study up to the time of review, to incorporate available advances
in technology, and to adjust the focus of the study as may be necessary
to optimize the results delivered to Lincoln County.

Development of this plan of study included review, evaluation, and
preliminary analysis of available data, field reconnaissance and
evaluation of potential data-collection sites, and preliminary selection
of sites to be included in the monitoring network. This plan calls for
the following data-collection infrastructure installation and
data-collection activities:

> 1\. Installation, operation, and maintenance of
> precipitation-measurement stations to supplement data collected by the
> National Weather Services (NWS) and its observers.
>
> 2\. Re-establishment of streamflow gaging stations near the mouths of
> the Rio Bonito and the Rio Ruidoso or on the Rio Hondo at Picacho.
>
> 3\. Regular measurement of water levels in selected existing wells.
>
> 4\. Instrumentation of unused wells with continuous water-level
> monitoring equipment and subsequent operation and maintenance of the
> instrumentation.
>
> 5\. Installation of piezometers and regular measurement of water
> levels in these piezometers in areas of interest where no wells that
> are appropriate for water-level measurement exist.
>
> 6\. Collection of surface- and ground-water samples for laboratory
> analysis of concentrations of nutrients and other selected
> constituents.

Data-collection activities and supporting preliminary data-analysis
activities related to the characterization of precipitation,
ground-water, surface-water and water-quality are discussed in the
following individual sections.

# Characterization of Precipitation 

Precipitation data typically are used to estimate the maximum volume of
water that enters a hydrologic system. In the Upper Rio Hondo Basin,
where altitudes range from about 5,000 to 10,000 feet, snowfall is a
significant component of annual precipitation, especially at higher
altitudes in the western part of the Basin. At altitudes greater than
about 8,000 feet, snow typically accumulates during the winter and
slowly melts during several weeks in the springtime, providing
streamflow and also a substantial part of the annual recharge to the
ground-water system. Three measurements of precipitation are required to
adequately estimate its contribution to the Upper Hondo Basin: monthly
and annual total precipitation, winter snow depth or snowpack, and the
water content of the snowpack.

### Available Precipitation Data

Precipitation stations with periods of record of at least 25 years are
located in Capitan, Fort Stanton, and Ruidoso by the National Weather
Service (NWS) (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2006).
These stations are at altitudes of 6,500, 6,200 and 6,900 feet,
respectively. The Capitan and Ruidoso stations currently (2006) are
active; all three stations were active during 1942-66. In addition, an
active station also is located at Picacho, NM, about 7 miles downstream
of the confluence of the Rio Bonito and the Rio Ruidoso; its operation
began in 1980. The altitude of this station is about 5,000 feet. These
four precipitation data-collection stations are shown in figure 2 and
listed in table 1.

**Figure 2 here.**

The National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) operates a snow course
and a SNOTEL (SNOwpack TELemetry) site on Sierra Blanca at an altitude
of 10,280 feet. Snow depth and snow water equivalent have been measured
routinely on or about the first days of February, March, and April from
1986 through 2006 at the snow course; precipitation has been routinely
measured hourly and compiled by month starting in October 2003. Both
data-collection activities are ongoing. This precipitation and snow
data-collection station is shown on figure 2 and listed in table 1.

  ------------------- ---------------------- ------------ -------------- -------------- --------------- ---------------
  **Table 1. Current                                                                                    
  (2006) NOAA and                                                                                       
  NRCS precipitation                                                                                    
  data-collection                                                                                       
  stations in**                                                                                         

  **and near the                                                                                        
  Upper Rio Hondo                                                                                       
  Basin.**                                                                                              

  **\[Complementary                                                                                     
  multiple sites at                                                                                     
  Ruidoso are grouped                                                                                   
  together and are                                                                                      
  shown in bold text.                                                                                   
  dd, degrees; mm,                                                                                      
  minutes\]**                                                                                           

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                         

  **Map**                                    **Agency**   **Reported**   **Reported**   **Reported**    **Years of**

  **number**          **Station name**       **ID**       **Altitude**   **Latitude**   **Longitude**   **data**

  **(figure 2)**                                          **(feet)**     **(dd/mm)**    **(dd/mm)**     ** **

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                         

  1                   Capitan (NOAA)         291440       6480           3332           10536           1931-66;

                                                                                                        1976-2006

                                                                                                         

  2                   Fort Stanton (NOAA)    293228       6224           3330           10531           1931-74

                                                                                                         

  **3**               **Ruidoso (NOAA)**     **297649**   **6930**       **3322**       **10540**       **1942-65**

  ** **               **Ruidoso Municipal    **297649**   **6840**       **3323**       **10537**       **1965-87**
                      Airport**                                                                         

  ** **               **Ruidoso 2**          **297651**   **6937**       **3321**       **10540**       **1987-93**

  ** **               **Ruidoso Sierra       **No ID**    **6810**       **3327**       **10531**       **1993-2006**
                      Blanca Airport**                                                                  

  ** **                                                                                                 ** **

  4                   Picacho (NOAA)         296804       5000           3321           10509           1980-2006

                                                                                                         

  5                   Sierra Blanca SNOTEL   05R01        10,280         3325           10558           1986-2006
                      site                                                                              

                      (NRCS)                                                                             

                                                                                                         
  ------------------- ---------------------- ------------ -------------- -------------- --------------- ---------------

### Activities to be Conducted by the USGS to Characterize Precipitation

Data collected at the existing precipitation stations will facilitate
characterizing precipitation in the Upper Hondo Basin to an altitude of
about 7,000 feet and at about 10,000 feet. Additional

data collection, however, will be required to facilitate characterizing
precipitation at altitudes of about 8,000 and 9,000 feet. A minimum of
four additional stations collecting precipitation, snow depth, and water
content of the snowpack will be required to estimate the volume of water
entering the hydrologic system, the areal extent of winter snowpack and
the volume of water it contains, and how this water is partitioned into
streamflow and into recharge to the ground-water system.

**1. The USGS will install, operate and maintain four year-round
precipitation stations and adjacent snow courses.** Two stations will be
at approximate altitudes of 8,000 and 9,000 feet in the Rio Ruidoso
drainage and two stations will be in the Rio Bonito drainage on the
south-facing slope of the Capitan Mountains, also at approximate
altitudes of 8,000 and 9,000 feet. Data collected at these stations will
supplement the data currently being collected by the NWS and NRCS**.**

Data collected at these existing and to-be-installed precipitation
stations will facilitate estimating the total monthly and annual
precipitation falling in the Upper Rio Hondo Basin. Data collected at
the existing and to-be-established snow courses will facilitate
characterizing the geographic extent, depth, and volume of water in the
winter snowpack, and how these characteristics vary seasonally.

# Characterization of Surface-Water Conditions

The primary concern regarding surface water is the potential for
streamflow and shallow ground-water depletion resulting from diversion
and/or impoundment of stream water or from pumping of ground water from
wells. Areas of particular concern are in the Eagle Creek drainage and
in the Rio Ruidoso and Rio Hondo drainages downstream from diversions.
Future diversions that could result from transfer of water rights and
subsequent movement of their points of diversion (POD) upstream from
their original PODs also are of concern.

The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer (NMOSE) has set a minimum
flow for the streamflow gaging station, Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood (USGS
streamflow gaging station 08387000; fig. 3 and table 2) to support the
New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) High-Quality Cold-Water Aquatic
Life Designated Use. This designated use applies to the perennial
reaches of the Rio Ruidoso and its tributaries, including Eagle Creek,
upstream of the U.S. highway 70 bridge near Seeping Springs Lakes and to
the perennial reaches of the Rio Hondo. This Designated Use also applies
to the perennial reaches of the Rio Bonito.

### Available Surface-Water Data

Historically, the USGS has operated and maintained six streamflow gaging
stations in the Rio Bonito and Rio Ruidoso basins and a seventh station
on the Rio Hondo at Picacho, about 7 miles downstream from the
confluence of the Rio Bonito and Rio Ruidoso. Three of these stations
are currently (2006) in operation; they are shown on Figure 3 and listed
in Table 2.

Two currently (2006) active streamflow gaging stations, the Rio Ruidoso
at Ruidoso (08386505) and the Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood (08387000)
provide information about how much water can be diverted from the Rio
Ruidoso to Grindstone Lake by the village of Ruidoso while still
providing for adequate streamflow in the reach downstream of the
diversion to sustain the High-Quality Cold-Water Aquatic Life Designated
Use. The third currently (2006) active station, Eagle Creek below South
Fork near Alto (08387600), is located just downstream of the confluence
of the North Fork and the South Fork of Eagle Creek.

Two discontinued streamflow gaging stations, Rio Bonito at Hondo
(08389500) and Rio Ruidoso at Hondo (0838000) were operated during
1930-55; the locations of these stations were within one mile of the
mouths of these two streams, where they come together to form the Rio
Hondo. These two stations were replaced by a third station, Rio Hondo at
Picacho (08390100). This station was located about five miles downstream
from the confluence of the Rio Bonito and the Rio Ruidoso; it began
operation in 1956 and was discontinued in 1962. These three streamflow
gaging stations provided information about streamflow leaving the Upper
Rio Hondo Basin.

**Figure 3 here.**

+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
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|      | on** |       |       |     |                    | of**    |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
| **   | **   | **    | **L   | **A | **Station name**   | **r     |
| Numb | numb | Latit | ongit | lti |                    | ecord** |
| er** | er** | ude** | ude** | tud |                    |         |
|      |      |       |       | e** |                    |         |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
| **(  |      | **(d  | **(d  |     |                    | ** **   |
| fig. |      | d/mm/ | d/mm/ |     |                    |         |
| 3)** |      | ss)** | ss)** |     |                    |         |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
|      |      |       |       |     |                    |         |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
|      |      |       |       |     |                    |         |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
| *    |      |       |       |     |                    |         |
| *[Ac |      |       |       |     |                    |         |
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+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
|      |      |       |       |     |                    |         |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
| 1    | 0838 | 3     | 10    | 7   | Rio Ruidoso at     | 1998-   |
|      | 6505 | 32115 | 54334 | 150 | Ruidoso, NM        | present |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
| 2    | 0838 | 3     | 10    | 6   | Rio Ruidoso at     | 1953-   |
|      | 7000 | 31936 | 53740 | 420 | Hollywood, NM      | present |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
| 3    | 0838 | 3     | 10    | 7   | Eagle Creek below  | 1969-   |
|      | 7600 | 32357 | 54313 | 600 | South Fork         | present |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
|      |      |       |       |     | near Alto, NM      |         |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
|      |      |       |       |     |                    |         |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
| **[  |      |       |       |     |                    |         |
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+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
|      |      |       |       |     |                    |         |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
| 4    | 0838 | 3     | 10    | 5   | Rio Bonito at      | 1930-55 |
|      | 9500 | 32320 | 51632 | 205 | Hondo, NM          |         |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
| 5    | 0838 | 3     | 10    | 5   | Rio Ruidoso at     | 1930-55 |
|      | 8000 | 32300 | 51632 | 181 | Hondo, NM          |         |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
| 6    | 0839 | 3     | 10    | 4   | Rio Hondo at       | 1956-62 |
|      | 0100 | 32125 | 50927 | 945 | Picacho, NM        |         |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+
|      |      |       |       |     |                    |         |
+------+------+-------+-------+-----+--------------------+---------+

Livingston Associates, a consulting firm retained by the Village of
Ruidoso, has measured streamflow along with temperature, specific
conductance, pH, and also has collected water samples and analyzed them
for nutrient concentrations at 17 sites along the Rio Ruidoso and
selected tributaries from approximately the western and southern
boundaries of Lincoln County downstream to the community of Glencoe.
This information has been collected approximately monthly beginning in
2003. The Village of Ruidoso and Livingston Associates have been
contacted by the USGS and both have agreed to share these data. The
data, however, have not yet been provided; the USGS will continue
efforts to obtain it. These data will be used to supplement data
collected at the USGS streamflow gaging stations.

### Activities to be Conducted by the USGS to Characterize Surface-Water Conditions

**1. The USGS will re-establish streamflow gaging stations near the
confluence of the Rio Bonito and Rio Ruidoso to measure streamflow
leaving the Upper Rio Hondo Basin.** One of two alternatives for
measurement of streamflow leaving the Upper Rio Hondo Basin will be
conducted. The first and preferable alternative is to measure the amount
of surface water that leaves via the Rio Bonito at Hondo and via the Rio
Ruidoso individually. In this alternative, the USGS will re-establish
streamflow gaging stations, Rio Bonito at Hondo (08389500) and Rio
Ruidoso at Hondo (08388000) at or near their previous locations just
upstream of their confluence (fig. 3; table 2). Continuous streamflow
data will be collected at these stations and combined with data
previously collected at these stations during 1930-55.

The second alternative is to measure the combined streamflow of the Rio
Bonito and Rio Ruidoso, plus any streamflow gain to or loss from the Rio
Hondo in the approximately five miles downstream of the Rio Bonito --
Rio Ruidoso confluence. In this alternative, the USGS will re-establish
the streamflow gaging station, Rio Hondo at Picacho (08390100);
continuous streamflow data will be collected at this station and
combined with data collected during 1956-62.

Re-establishing streamflow gaging stations on both the Rio Bonito at
Hondo and the Rio Ruidoso at Hondo is the preferred alternative because:
(1) the proximity of these sites to their confluence which marks the
downstream terminus of the Upper Rio Hondo Basin will provide for a more
accurate estimate of streamflow leaving the basin; (2) the longer
historical record at these stations than at the Rio Hondo at Picacho
station facilitates a longer-term analysis of streamflow leaving the
Upper Rio Hondo Basin, and (3) stations near the confluence of both of
these streams will facilitate examining streamflow conditions in each of
the basins individually as well as collectively.

**2. The USGS will conduct streamflow gain/loss studies (seepage
surveys) to determine reaches of Rio Ruidoso that gain streamflow from
shallow ground water and reaches that lose streamflow to shallow ground
water.** The USGS will first conduct an analysis of the Rio Ruidoso
streamflow data collected by Livingston Associates to determine if
gaining and losing reaches of the Rio Ruidoso can be identified using
these data. If these data provide adequate information, they will be
used to determine reaches of the Rio Ruidoso that gain water from
shallow ground-water, reaches that lose water to shallow ground-water,
how these gains and losses vary seasonally, and how these gains and
losses vary with the level of streamflow in the Rio Ruidoso.

In addition to the analysis of the Livingston Associates data, the USGS
will conduct streamflow gain/loss studies in October or November of two
successive years to determine gaining and losing reaches of the Rio
Ruidoso. These studies will provide for an independent evaluation of
conditions at or near base flow. Sites will be selected from those used
by Livingston Associates and will be supplemented where necessary.

The USGS will conduct similar studies on the Rio Bonito and on Eagle
Creek. If streamflow is intermittent in these streams, the USGS will
measure the streamflow in the flowing reaches and also identify the
non-flowing reaches.

# Characterization of Ground-Water Conditions 

The western part of the Upper Rio Hondo Basin includes the eastern
slopes of the Sacramento Mountains and is geologically and
hydrologically complex. In addition to surface and near surface
unconsolidated deposits, 10 different consolidated geologic units have
been reported to be used for water supply in the Basin. Geologic faults
often juxtapose geologic units and, in some cases, may increase
inter-unit ground-water movement, and in other cases may impede
inter-unit ground-water movement. Fractures associated with the faults
can be filled with less permeable material or, in carbonates such as
limestone, are often enlarged by solution along fractures.

Ground water is the source of most water used in the Upper Rio Hondo
Basin. Several commonly-expressed concerns and questions regarding
ground water that this plan of study addresses include:

1\. Is the ground-water resource adequate to supply water allocated
under existing water rights as permitted by the New Mexico Office of the
State Engineer?

2\. What are the effects of these permitted withdrawals on surface-water
flow and ground-water availability downstream and downgradient of the
withdrawals?

3\. How would transfer of water rights and associated points of
diversion to locations upstream and upgradient of the
originally-permitted points of diversion impact downstream/downgradient
water availability?

4\. What is the impact of withdrawal of water from the large number of
un-permitted domestic wells?

5\. Donohoe (2004) measured water levels in 31 wells in 2003 that were
also measured in the 1950's by Mourant (1963). Water levels in 19 of
these wells were higher in 2003 than in the 1950's and early 1960's. Can
these higher water levels be explained by seasonal water-level
fluctuations, by multi-year variations in precipitation and subsequent
recharge preceding the measurements, or by another as-yet unidentified
variable?

### Available Ground-Water Data

The USGS has measured water levels more than once and as many as 117
times in each of 129 wells in the Upper Rio Hondo Basin. Water levels
were measured first in 1947 and periods of water-level record for these
wells range from less than one year to 57 years. These data are
contained in the USGS National Water Information Service (NWIS) data
base and will provide for an assessment of water-level responses to
annual precipitation variability and to seasonal water-use variability.

Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) is establishing a network of about 20
wells in which it will be regularly measuring ground-water levels. This
network is primarily between the Rio Ruidoso and Little Creek (fig.4).
SNL is planning to equip about seven of these wells with transducers and
data loggers to collect continuous water-level data. Presently, two
wells are instrumented; the remaining wells are scheduled to be
instrumented during approximately the next six months.

### Activities to be Conducted by the USGS to Characterize Ground-Water Conditions

**1. The USGS will operate a monitoring-well network of approximately 50
wells selected from the 129 wells in the NWIS data base.** Approximately
one-half of these 50 wells will be measured monthly; the remaining 25
wells will be measured three times per year. Criteria considered in well
selection included: 1) geologic formation in which the well was reported
to be completed, 2) depth of the well, and 3) primary use of water from
the well. A preliminary selection of the 50 existing wells to be
included in the monitoring-well network has been conducted; these wells
are shown in figure 4 and listed in table 3.

Wells that were identified as being completed in unconsolidated deposits
were excluded because water levels in these wells typically respond
rapidly and significantly to seasonal fluctuations in precipitation and
to melting of the winter snow pack. Similarly, wells for which the
geologic unit of completion was not identified and that were completed
at depths of less than 100 feet below land surface were excluded to
decrease the probability that the selected wells were completed in
unconsolidated material. Wells completed in 10 geologic units are
included in the list of selected wells.

Wells that were identified as unused or as used for stock watering were
preferred because of no withdrawals from the unused wells and the
relatively infrequent and small amounts of water typically withdrawn
from stock wells. Conversely, wells identified as used for public supply
or

**Figure 4 here.**

  ------------------------ ---------------- ---------------- ------------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ -- ------------ ------- -------------- --- -------------- ----- -----
  **Table 3. Water-level                                                                                                                                                                                                             
  monitoring wells in the                                                                                                                                                                                                            
  Upper Rio Hondo Basin.**                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

  **\[Geologic unit: Ti,                                                                                                                                                                                                             
  igneous rocks; KMV, Mesa                                                                                                                                                                                                           
  Verde Formation; Km,                                                                                                                                                                                                               
  Mancos Shale; Kd, Dakota                                                                                                                                                                                                           
  Sandstone; Trc, Chinle                                                                                                                                                                                                             
  Formation; Trs, Santa                                                                                                                                                                                                              
  Rosa Sandstone; Pa,                                                                                                                                                                                                                
  Artesia Formation;                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
  Psa,**                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

  **San Andres Limestone;                                                                                                                                                                                                            
  Pg, Glorieta Sandstone;                                                                                                                                                                                                            
  Py, Yeso Formation; \--,                                                                                                                                                                                                           
  Not specified.**                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

  **Primary use of water:                                                                                                                                                                                                            
  H, Domestic; I,                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
  Irrigation; P, Public                                                                                                                                                                                                              
  Supply;**                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

  **R, Recreation; S,                                                                                                                                                                                                                
  Stock Watering; U,                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
  Unused; \--, Not                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
  specified.\]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                **Number**           

  **Map**                                                                                                                    **Primary**                **Depth of**    **Period**                              **of**               

  **number**                                                 **Local well**                     **Geologic**                 **use of**                 **well**        **of**                                  **measure-**         

  **(fig. 4)**                                               **number**                         **unit**                     **water**                  **(feet)**      **record**                              **ments**            

  ** **                                                      ** **                              ** **                        ** **                      ** **           ** **                                   ** **                

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

  **[Wells in USGS                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
  Network]{.underline}**                                                                                                                                                                                                             

  1                                                          08S.14E.19.41121                   Km                           S                          120             1956-2003                               8                    

  2                                                          08S.14E.27.413324                  \--                          S                          126             1956-94                                 5                    

  3                                                          08S.14E.36.423443                  \--                          S                          179             1979-2003                               5                    

  4                                                          08S.15E.33.321122                  \--                          S                          360             1957-88                                 4                    

  5                                                          09S.13E.21.31214                   Km/Kmv                       H                          125             1956-2003                               8                    

  6                                                          09S.13E.25.23111                   \--                          U                          100             1956-2003                               12                   

  7                                                          09S.14E.10.13221                   Km                           P                          320             1955-2005                               117                  

  8                                                          09S.14E.10.14142                   \--                          U                          350             1979-94                                 4                    

  9                                                          09S.14E.12.32423                   Trs                          S                          120             1955-2003                               33                   

  10                                                         09S.14E.13.12124                   Trc                          S                          105             1988-2003                               5                    

  11                                                         09S.14E.15.111414                  Km                           S                          125             1988-2003                               6                    

  12                                                         09S.14E.20.32323                   Km                           S                          300             1988-2003                               5                    

  13                                                         09S.14E.21.333341                  Km                           S                          150             1957-2003                               7                    

  14                                                         09S.14E.25.23342                   Psa                          I                          300             1984-2003                               6                    

  15                                                         09S.15E.05.234444                  Pa                           S                          180             1956-2003                               4                    

  16                                                         09S.15E.06.32224                   Pa                           S                          180             1956-2003                               7                    

  17                                                         09S.15E.20.323241                  \--                          S                          100             1988-94                                 3                    

  18                                                         09S.15E.33.22410                   \--                          S                          366             1988-94                                 2                    

  19                                                         09S.16E.28.33313                   \--                          P                          110             1955-89                                 4                    

  20                                                         09S.16E.28.33322                   \--                          U                          125             1955-56                                 5                    

  21                                                         09S.16E.33.112311                  Py                           I                          130             1972-2004                               9                    

  22                                                         10S.12E.36.12322                   Ti                           U                          800             1993-2003                               3                    

  23                                                         10S.13E.15.213424                  \--                          U                          154             1955-89                                 12                   

  24                                                         10S.13E.22.13331                   Kmv                          U                          93              1979-2004                               9                    

  25                                                         10S.13E.34.43123                   \--                          P                          1000            1979-2002                               6                    

  26                                                         10S.14E.09.133312                  \--                          H                          156             1979-88                                 3                    

  27                                                         10S.14E.16.332331                  Kd                           U                          700             1956-2003                               7                    

  28                                                         10S.14E.31.424                     \--                          U                          \--             2002-03                                 2                    

  29                                                         10S.15E.22.23442                   \--                          U                          110             1955-99                                 7                    

  30                                                         10S.15E.26.23323                   \--                          U                          106             1955-62                                 37                   

  31                                                         10S.15E.26.24331                   \--                          I                          120             1994-2004                               2                    

  32                                                         10S.15E.32.32144                   \--                          S                          215             1979-84                                 2                    

  33                                                         10S.15E.32.32144A                  \--                          S                          215             1956                                    1                    

  **Table 3. Water-level                                                                                                                                                                                                             
  monitoring wells in the                                                                                                                                                                                                            
  Upper Rio Hondo                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
  Basin\--continued.**                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                **Number**           

  **Map**                                                                                                      **Primary**                 **Depth of**                 **Period**                              **of**               

  **number**                                                 **Local well**      **Geologic**                  **use of**                  **well**                     **of**                                  **measure-**         

  **(figure 4)**                                             **number**          **unit**                      **water**                   **(feet)**                   **record**                              **ments**            

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

  34                                                         10S.15E.34.224      Psa                           \--                         189                          2003-03                                 2                    

  35                                                         10S.15E.35.311      Psa                           \--                         200                          2003-03                                 2                    

  36                                                         10S.16E.12.32421    Py                            I                           425                          1957-2003                               9                    

  37                                                         10S.16E.27.113134   \--                           I                           128                          1954-84                                 4                    

  38                                                         10S.17E.16.43343    \--                           S                           140                          1955-2003                               46                   

  39                                                         10S.17E.22.334112   \--                           S                           210                          1956-88                                 4                    

  40                                                         10S.17E.29.233143   \--                           U                           288                          1955-89                                 39                   

  41                                                         10S.17E.29.423      Py                            S                           130                          2002-03                                 2                    

  42                                                         11S.13E.02.44111    \--                           P                           510                          1982-93                                 2                    

  43                                                         11S.13E.09.33343    Trc                           P                           100                          1947-2003                               9                    

  44                                                         11S.13E.22.13214    Km                            U                           700                          1955-2003                               59                   

  45                                                         11S.13E.22.34213    Km                            R                           119                          1955-2003                               8                    

  46                                                         11S.13E.23.22321    Pg                            U                           500                          2003-03                                 2                    

  47                                                         11S.14E.21.34244    \--                           H                           123                          1955-79                                 2                    

  48                                                         11S.14E.28.132242   \--                           U                           300                          1980-84                                 2                    

  49                                                         11S.14E.29.112      Py                            I                           189                          2003-03                                 2                    

  50                                                         11S.14E.29.121423   \--                           H                           122                          1994-2003                               2                    

  51                                                         11S.17E.03.334141   \--                           U                           260                          1955-79                                 3                    

  52                                                         11S.17E.10.12211    \--                           U                           260                          1955-94                                 5                    

  53                                                         11S.17E.10.12422    \--                           U                           260                          1955-64                                 41                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

  **[Wells in Sandia                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
  National Laboratory                                                                                                                                                                                                                
  Network]{.underline}**                                                                                                                                                                                                             

  54                       10S.14E.22.313                                        \--                           P                           656                                       \--                                       \--   

  55                       10S.14E.21.413                                        \--                           P                           650                                       \--                                       \--   

  56                       10S.14E.19.424                                        \--                           P                           105                                       \--                                       \--   

  57                       10S.14E.20.313                                        \--                           P                           440                                       \--                                       \--   

  58                       10S.14E.21.413                                        \--                           P                           921                                       \--                                       \--   

  59                       10S.14E.20.313                                        \--                           P                           905                                       \--                                       \--   

  60                       10S.14E.19.424                                        \--                           P                           300                                       \--                                       \--   

  61                       10S.13E.24.422                                        \--                           \--                         440                                       \--                                       \--   

  62                       10S.13E.13.131                                        \--                           H                           600                                       \--                                       \--   

  63                       10S.14E.18.311                                        \--                           H                           412                                       \--                                       \--   

  64                       10S.14E.19.221                                        \--                           S                           1,050                                     \--                                       \--   

  65                       10S.14E.19.221                                        \--                           \--                         \--                                       \--                                       \--   

  66                       10S.13E.23.212                                        \--                           H                           1,005                                     \--                                       \--   

  67                       10S.13E.13.131                                        \--                           H                           200                                       \--                                       \--   

  68                       10S.14E.07.441                                        \--                           H                           1,232                                     \--                                       \--   

  69                       10S.14E.08.311                                        \--                           H                           250                                       \--                                       \--   

  70                       10S.14E.07.313                                        \--                           H                           600                                       \--                                       \--   

  71                       10S.14E.07.341                                        \--                           H                           780                                       \--                                       \--   

  **Table 3. Water-level                                                                                                                                                                                                             
  monitoring wells in the                                                                                                                                                                                                            
  Upper Rio Hondo                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
  Basin\--concluded.**                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                             **Number**                              

  **Map**                                                                                                      **Primary**                              **Depth of**    **Period**           **of**                                  

  **number**                                **Local well**                       **Geologic**                  **use of**                               **well**        **of**               **measure-**                            

  **(figure 4)**                            **number**                           **unit**                      **water**                                **(feet)**      **record**           **ments**                               

  ** **                                     ** **                                ** **                         ** **                                    ** **           ** **                ** **                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

  72                                        10S.14E.18.234                       \--                           H                                        850             \--                  \--                                     

  73                                        10S.14E.17.421                       \--                           H                                        950             \--                  \--                                     

  74                                        10S.14E.17.311                       \--                           \--                                      \--             \--                  \--                                     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
  ------------------------ ---------------- ---------------- ------------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ -- ------------ ------- -------------- --- -------------- ----- -----

irrigation were avoided because of the frequent and large amount of
water typically withdrawn from these wells. Finally, wells used for
domestic supply were included where it was necessary to provide a more
complete geographic coverage of areas where development is occurring or
is anticipated to occur in the near future.

The USGS has strived to include in the monitoring-well networks wells
completed in each geologic unit that is used for water supply; to
concentrate wells in areas of high population density and attendant
large ground-water withdrawals; and, in areas where more than one
water-bearing unit is used for supply, to include wells completed in
each of the units and in close

geographical proximity to each other to facilitate assessing the
hydrologic connection between the units. In areas where a monitoring
well would be beneficial but none have been identified, existing wells
will be considered for inclusion in the monitoring-well network; if no
existing well is appropriate for the network, drilling of a new well
specifically for the network will be considered. Areas where additional
wells may be beneficial are shown on figure 4.

Water levels in wells to be measured three times per year will be
measured in late winter (January or February) prior to the irrigation
season, in late spring (May or June) prior to the typical beginning of
the monsoon season, and in fall (October or November) following the
irrigation and typical monsoon seasons. The late winter measurements
will be representative of annual maximum water levels following winter
recovery from the previous irrigation season. The early summer
measurements will be representative of water levels affected by about
three months of irrigation withdrawals. The fall measurements will be
representative of water levels affected by the entire irrigation season
and by precipitation during the monsoon season.

**2. The USGS will collect manual water-level data concurrently one or
more times with Sandia National Laboratory in wells in the SNL
monitoring network.** If measurements made by both agencies are in
agreement, the SNL monitoring network manual measurements will be
incorporated into this study.

**3. The USGS will instrument about 10 wells with transducers and data
recorders to collect hourly water-level measurements.** The USGS has
made preliminary contacts with the operators of several community water
systems in the Basin to locate unused wells to instrument. These unused
wells typically are near other regularly-pumped wells that supply the
community water systems. Hourly water-level measurements will facilitate
characterization of impacts of ground-water withdrawal from the nearby
pumping wells on water levels in the instrumented wells, as well as
characterization of overlying seasonal variations and year-to-year
trends.

**4. The USGS will collect water samples from wells and springs where
use of recent ground-water age dating techniques appears valuable; these
samples will be analyzed for concentrations of chlorofluorocarbons and
tritium.** Chlorofluorocarbons were used as propellants in consumer
products beginning in about 1950. The emission of these propellants and
their concentrations in the atmosphere increased until the early 1970s,
when they were established to be causing deterioration of ozone in the
atmosphere, and their use was discontinued. Atmospheric concentrations
of these substances have decreased since then. Concentrations of
chlorofluorocarbons in ground water, therefore, can be an indication of
when, since about 1950, this water entered the ground-water system and
became isolated from the atmosphere.

Similarly, concentrations of tritium first appeared in the atmosphere in
1945 following the first testing of the atomic bomb. Atmospheric
concentrations of tritium increased until the early 1960s. After the
early 1960s, most testing of atomic bombs occurred underground, and
atmospheric concentrations of tritium have decreased since then. Like
concentrations of chlorofluorocarbons in ground water, concentrations of
tritium in ground water can be an indication of when, since 1945, this
water entered the ground-water system and became isolated from the
atmosphere. These methods become most effective when they are used
together.

# Characterization of Water-Quality Conditions

The primary concern regarding water quality in the Upper Rio Hondo Basin
is the source and fate of nutrients produced by human activities in the
basin. These activities include individual sewage disposal systems
(ISDSs), community sewage treatment and disposal systems, fertilizers
used on domestic, agricultural, and business properties, and
agricultural animal waste.

Concentrations of nutrients in the effluent from the sewage treatment
plant on the Rio Ruidoso, which serves the incorporated village of
Ruidoso and city of Ruidoso Downs, has exceeded State of New Mexico
Water Quality Standards. A privately owned and operated sewage treatment
plant serves the unincorporated community in Little Creek drainage; the
effect of this system on downstream surface-water and downgradient
ground-water nutrient concentrations is not known. In areas not served
by these plants, domestic wastewater typically is treated by ISDSs; the
effect of these systems on downstream surface-water and downgradient
ground-water nutrient concentrations also is not known.

Perennial reaches of the Rio Bonito downstream from New Mexico Highway
48 (near Angus) and the Rio Ruidoso downstream of the U.S. highway 70
bridge (near Seeping Springs lakes are classified by the State of New
Mexico Environment Department as a cold-water aquatic habitat (New
Mexico Administrative Code, 2006). This designation specifies maximums
of temperature, specific conductance, pH, and concentrations of
dissolved oxygen and total ammonia. Publicly available water-quality
data are inadequate to determine if these specifications are being met.

### Available Water-Quality Data

As described previously, Livingston Associates, streamflow, temperature,
specific conductance, pH, and collected and analyzed samples for
nutrient concentrations at 17 sites along the Rio Ruidoso and selected
tributaries approximately monthly beginning in 2003. Livingston
Associates has been contacted by the USGS and has agreed to share these
data and the Village of Ruidoso has been contacted requesting
authorization for Livingston Associates to release the data to the USGS.
The USGS will continue efforts to obtain the Rio Ruidoso streamflow and
water-quality data from Livingston Associates.

### Activities to be Conducted by the USGS to Characterize Water-Quality Conditions

**1. The USGS will conduct in-stream field measurements and collect
water samples for nutrient-concentration analysis simultaneously with
Livingston Associates at each of the 17 sites during their monthly
data-collection activity.** This collaborative activity will be
conducted twice and will enable the USGS and Livingston Associates to
compare results of the simultaneous data collection and provide a level
of confidence regarding the use of each other's data. If this level of
confidence is determined to be sufficient, the USGS will use Livingston
Associates data to assess surface-water quality conditions in the Rio
Ruidoso. If either of these activities is unsuccessful, the USGS will
establish its own water-quality sampling sites in the Rio Ruidoso
drainage.

Should the USGS need to establish its own surface-water sampling network
in the Rio Ruidoso drainage, background/baseline sites will be located
on the Rio Ruidoso, Carrizo Creek, and the stream in Cherokee Canyon
near where they enter the Lincoln County, the North Fork of Cedar Creek
and Little Creek at their sources of flow, and at the USGS streamflow
gaging station on Eagle Creek just downstream of the confluence of its
North and South Forks.

Intermediate sampling sites will be near where the Rio Ruidoso, Cedar
Creek, Eagle Creek and Little Creek flow under New Mexico Highway 37.
Downstream sampling sites will be located near the mouth of Cedar Creek
and Little Creek, and on Eagle Creek just upstream of the mouth of
Little Creek. Sampling sites will be located on the Rio Ruidoso upstream
and downstream of the mouths of Carrizo, Cedar, and Eagle Creeks,
Gavilan Canyon. As many as six additional sites will be selected along
the Rio Ruidoso in and near Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs, upstream and
downstream of significant potential sources of nutrients, including
upstream and downstream of the community sewage treatment facility.

**2. The USGS will conduct in-stream field measurements and collect
water samples for nutrient-concentration analysis at selected sites in
the Rio Bonito drainage.** In the Rio Bonito drainage, an upstream
sampling site will be located just downstream of Bonito Lake;
intermediate sampling sites will be located near where the Rio Bonito
flows under New Mexico Highway 48, near where it flows into the Fort
Stanton reserved area, and near where it flows out of the Fort Stanton
reserved area; the downstream sampling site will be located at the site
of the historic streamflow gaging station near the mouth of Rio Bonito.

It is anticipated that there will not be streamflow at all these sites
at all sampling times; where and when there is no streamflow to measure
and sample, springs and shallow wells will be substituted where they
exist and are accessible.

**3. Where nutrient concentrations are significantly more than
background/baseline concentrations, supplemental samples will be
analyzed for a suite of wastewater compounds, such as hormones,
caffeine, food preservatives, detergent metabolites, and
acetaminophen**. The presence of these compounds is conclusive evidence
that domestic wastewater has contributed to the water being sampled.
These analyses will be used secondarily because of their high cost.

Sampling in the Rio Bonito drainage and, if necessary, in the Rio
Ruidoso drainage, will be conducted monthly during April through
September, and in November and February.

4\. The USGS will collect ground-water samples from approximately 20
wells for analysis of nutrients and other selected constituents. Most of
the samples will be collected from wells in areas that have been
developed to assess any effect that domestic or community waste-water
disposal systems may have on the ground-water supply. Where nutrient
concentrations are significantly more than background/baseline
concentrations, supplemental samples will be analyzed for a suite of
wastewater compounds. Sample collection and analysis also will be
conducted in areas that are undergoing or anticipated to be undergoing
development to establish background/baseline nutrient concentrations.

# Duration of This Study

A minimum of three years of data collection will be required to provide
adequate information from which to make valid interpretations. Prior to
this three-year period, a six-month period will be required for
installation and calibration of equipment at the many data-collection
sites. Following the three-year data collection period, Phase III of
this 4-phase study, a one-year period will be required to conduct Phase
IV of this study. Phase IV will include data analysis and
interpretation; report writing, reviewing, and revising; and publication
and distribution of a Scientific Investigations Report.

Following the four-phase study, it is recommended that data collection
be continued, at a reduced level, at optimal sites and time intervals,
so that the most valuable and instructive data will be available for
future use.

# References Cited

Donohoe, 2004, Selected hydrologic data for the upper Rio Hondo basin,
Lincoln County, New Mexico, 1945-2003: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific
Investigations Report 2004-5275, 28 p.

Mourant, 1963, W.A., 1963, Water resources and geology of the Rio Hondo
drainage basin, Chaves, Lincoln, and Otero Counties, New Mexico: New
Mexico State Engineer Technical Report 28, 85 p.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2006, National Climate
Data Center, at URL

*[http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html]{.underline}*, accessed July
2006.

National Resource Conservation Service, 2006, New Mexico SNOTEL sites,
at URL

[*http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/New_Mexico/new_mexico.html*](http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/New_Mexico/new_mexico.html),
accessed May

2006\.

New Mexico Administrative Code, 2006, Title 20, Environmental
Protection; Chapter 6, Water

Quality; Part 4, Standards for Interstate and Intrastate Surface Waters,
at URL

[*http://www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/nmac/parts/title20/20.006.0004.htm*](http://www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/nmac/parts/title20/20.006.0004.htm),
accessed July 2006.

New Mexico Environment Department, 2000, Ground water New Mexico's
buried treasure, at URL
[*http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/gwb/buried_treasure.htm*](http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/gwb/buried_treasure.htm),
accessed June 2006.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2005, American Fact Finder at URL
[*http://factfinder.census.gov*](http://factfinder.census.gov/),
accessed June 2005.