Estimated Water-Level Declines in the Santa Fe Group Aquifer System in the Albuquerque Area,

Central New Mexico, Predevelopment to 2002

By Laura M. Bexfield and Scott K. Anderholm

INTRODUCTION measurement accuracy within a foot. Measurements were not made in wells that newly constru cted map of recent water levels were digitized. A grid of points 

had no access to the water level through the casing. An electric tape with an spaced at 500-meter (about 1,640-foot) intervals was created, and water-level

In the Albuquerque metropolitan area of central New Mexico,

interface probe (to distinguish between water and any of the food-grade mineral elevations were interpolated onto the grid using the contours and selected

residential water-supply requirements have historically been met oil used for lubrication floating on top) was used to measure water levels in actual water-level measurements. The interpolated values calculated by the 

almost exclusively by ground-water withdrawal from the Santa Fe 

selected wells. The most recent winter water level (typically from the winter of GIS were reviewed for appropriateness. The difference between 

1999-2000 or 2000-2001) was chosen for use in this report. Group aquifer system. The rapid population growth of the metropolitan predevelopment and recent water levels was then calculated at each grid

area from about 262,200 residents in 1960 (Karen D. Thompson, U.S. point, and the results were contoured and subsequently color coded to obtain

Water levels for City of Rio Rancho water-supply wells were obtained Census Bureau, written commun., 2002) to about 712,700 residents in the estimated ranges of water-level decline presented on the map. For 20 

from two sources. USGS personnel measured water levels in six Rio Rancho

2000 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001) has resulted in a large increase in individual wells, both predevelopment and recent water-level measurements 

wells (see map) between January and April 2002. Measurements were made 

the number of municipal-supply wells operated in the region and the were available. The differences between water levels at these points were

using an electric or steel tape in wells that had been left idle for at least 2

total quantity of water they withdraw per year. The largest municipal compared with the estimates of water-level change created with the GIS to

weeks. Measurements were not made in wells that had no access to the water 

supplier is the City of Albuquerque, which delivered about 35.8 billion ensure consistency. The area for which estimates of water-level change are

level through the casing. Water-level measurements obtained by City of Rio

gallons of water to approximately 450,000 people during calendar year presented (see map) was selected primarily to focus on the area where the

1997 (files of the City of Albuquerque) and operates more than 90

Rancho personnel during 2000 using an air line (see map) were provided to most information was available. The eastern edge of the contoured area also 

the USGS by the City of Rio Rancho Water and Wastewater Department (Paul municipal-supply wells. Other nearby important suppliers include the was selected with the intent of excluding areas where Bexfield and Anderholm

City of Rio Rancho and the Town of Bernalillo. The large quantity of 

Romero, written commun., 2001). These measurements were obtained from (2000) indicated the existence of hydraulic discontinuities that are probably

wells in which the pump had been off for several hours to days. Because they

ground-water withdrawal in the Albuquerque metropolitan area relative associated with major faults. Water-level data near these hydraulic 

are not true static levels and because air-line measurements may be accurate

to ground-water recharge has resulted in water-level declines in the discontinuities are too sparse to accurately represent the ground-water levels

only to within several feet, they were used in this study only when no other data Santa Fe Group aquifer system across much of the region. Analysis of near faults.

were available and when the water levels appeared comparable to data for 

the magnitude of and patterns in water-level declines can improve

understanding of how the ground-water system responds to 

nearby wells. The contours of water-level decline presented in this report are

withdrawals intended to provide only reasonable estimates of the general magnitude, and how the system might be managed in the future to 

Additional water levels were obtained from 24 piezometers throughout minimize water-level extent, and areal pattern of water-level change in the production zone of the declines and operating costs of water suppliers.

the metropolitan area (see map; 3 are located outside the area shown). Most of aquifer system in the Albuquerque area. Because of the degree of variability 

these belong to piezometer nests installed as part of a program started in This report, prepared in cooperation with the City of and error inherent in the data (as described in the previous section) and the 

1996 by the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, the New Mexico Office of Albuquerque Public Works Department, presents estimated changes error introduced by the comparison of interpolated values on a discrete grid,

the State Engineer, and the USGS. These well nests generally were located at

in static water levels in the production zone of the Santa Fe Group the boundaries shown between the ranges of water-level change are not 

least 1 mile from municipal-supply wells to minimize the local effects of shortaquifer system in the Albuquerque metropolitan area between recent precisely located. Therefore, use of this map to estimate the exact water-level

term pumping cycles on measured water levels. The piezometer nests

(1999-2002) and predevelopment (pre-1961) conditions. Contours of change at an individual location should be attempted only with great caution

typically include three or more individual piezometers, with at least one

recent water levels are mapped, along with the ranges of estimated and with an awareness of the limitations involved in construction of the map.

piezometer screened at the water table, one near the middle of the production water-level change.

zone of nearby municipal-supply wells, and one near the bottom of or below 

IMPLICATIONS FOR GROUND-WATER FLOW AND RESPONSE OF

the production zone. For nests of this type, the water level used for this report The authors thank those individuals and agencies that have THE AQUIFER SYSTEMTO PUMPING STRESS

was obtained from the piezometer screened near the middle of the production aided in collection of water-level data used for this report. R.K.

DeWees,

zone; these piezometers typically have a screened interval of only 5 to 10 feet.

 Dale Rankin, and Stephanie Moore of the U.S. Geological The contours of recent water levels presented in this report indicate 

Survey (USGS) A few piezometer sites consist of only one piezometer; at these sites, the measured water levels in many municipal-supply and that ground-water-flow directions have changed considerably since

monitoring wells.

piezometer is completed within the production zone and has a screened 

 Pat Gallegos with the City of Albuquerque Water predevelopment (pre-1961). Assuming flow is effectively perpendicular to

Utility Division

interval of 20 feet or less. Data also were used for a few additional piezometers 

 and Paul Romero and Pat Gallegos with the City of Rio water-level contours, the predevelopment map of Bexfield and Anderholm

Rancho Water

installed prior to 1996 that are screened in the production zone. In 

 and Wastewater Department (respectively) provided 

(2000) indicates that ground water in the Albuquerque area has historically 

piezometers equipped with transducers, the water level selected for use was assistance with access to wells. Franz Lauffer with Sandia National 

flowed primarily from northeast to southwest on the west side of the Rio

the highest water level recorded by the transducer (excluding aberrant spikes) Laboratories generously provided water-level data for monitoring wells Grande and primarily from north to south-southwest on the east side of the Rio

during the winter months of 1999 or 2000. Transducers record water levels located at Kirtland Air Force Base; the data were collected by Grande. The recent (1999 to 2002) water levels presented in this report

once per hour and are calibrated about every 2 months. In a few cases, water- personnel of Sandia National Laboratories and Kirtland Air Force Base 

indicate that beneath the Albuquerque metropolitan area, ground water on

level measurements obtained by steel tape were used because transducers 

through their own programs. The authors also thank Doug McAda of the either side of the Rio Grande currently flows toward the major pumping 

USGS f

had not yet been installed; all but one of these water-level measurements were or his technical advice and assistance. centers from all directions (see map). In particular, strong northerly and made during winter months.

easterly flow components are now present within the study area on either side 

DATA SOURCES of the river. The contours of recent water levels also show that hydraulic 

To provide control on water levels southeast of Albuquerque, data were

gradients directed away from the river to both the east and west are currently 

used for several wells located on Kirtland Air Force Base (see map). Personnel

To estimate changes in water levels between recent and quite steep, especially as compared with predevelopment gradients.

from Kirtland Air Force Base or Sandia National Laboratories measured water

predevelopment conditions in the Santa Fe Group aquifer system in 

levels in these wells in 1999 or 2000 using steel or electric tape. Although a

the Albuquerque area, maps of water levels during the two time periods Estimated water-level changes calculated using the contour maps of 

few of these wells are screened about 100 to 250 feet below the water table, were needed. A new water-level map representing recent conditions recent and predevelopment conditions indicate that declines in the

many are screened at or near the water table. Therefore, water levels in these was constructed during this study. All water-level data for the map were Albuquerque metropolitan area over about the past 40 years have ranged from wells generally are more representative of conditions in shallower parts of the

obtained at some time between 1999 and 2002, primarily from negligible to more than 120 feet (see map). Water-level declines are smallest 

aquifer than are water levels from municipal-supply wells. It is not known municipal-supply and monitoring wells, under circumstances in the southwestern part of the study area, where relatively little ground water 

whether vertical water-level gradients in the area tend to be upward or

representative of near-static local conditions in the Santa Fe Group is pumped, and along the Rio Grande, where recharge from the river reduces

downward; thus, whether water-level declines calculated for the production

aquifer (described below). Although the construction of municipal- declines. Water-level declines are largest in the major pumping centers

zone of the area are somewhat underpredicted or overpredicted by the use of

supply wells is not optimal to obtain discrete vertical head data, use of located several miles east and west of the river. Declines exceed 120 feet 

data from shallower wells cannot be estimated. water levels from these wells was necessary to obtain a sufficient near the major basin-bounding faults on the eastern margin of the study area,

number of data points to delineate recent water-level conditions probably as a result of the juxtaposition of permeable sediments in the basin 

To create the contour map of recent water levels, the data described 

across the region. These wells are screened (open to the aquifer) with relatively impermeable materials present on the east side of these faults.

above were plotted using a geographic information system (GIS), then hand 

across large depth ranges, commonly exceeding 700 feet; therefore, a The map of water-level change in the production zone of the aquifer indicates

contoured. Because nearly every data point was honored in contouring, the 

water level obtained from one these wells represents an "average" that the average water-level decline resulting from ground-water pumping measured water level at a point deviated by less than 10 feet from the water

water level for the entire screened interval. City of Albuquerque over about the past 40 years has ranged from about 1 to 3 feet per year across 

level that would be inferred from the contours. Riverbed elevations for the Rio municipal-supply wells typically are screened from within about 200 broad parts of the Albuquerque area. Grande that had been digitized from 7.5-minute quadrangles also were used in

feet of the water table to 900 feet or more below the water table. This

creating the contour map. These elevations provide control for areas near the 

part of the aquifer is commonly referred to as the "production zone." REFERENCES river where water-level measurements in wells are sparse or not available. Where available, water-level data for monitoring wells (piezometers) 

However, these elevations are representative of the shallow ground-water

completed near the middle of the production zone of nearby municipal- Bexfield, L.M., and Anderholm, S.K., 2000, Predevelopment water-level map 

system (assuming hydraulic connection between the river and the aquifer)

supply wells also were used; these piezometers typically are screened of the Santa Fe Group aquifer system in the Middle Rio 

rather than the production zone of the aquifer. Therefore, at various points

over much smaller intervals than municipal-supply wells. Thus, in Grande Basin between Cochiti Lake and San Acacia, New 

near the river, nested piezometers screened at the water table and in the

general, the recent water-level data obtained for this report should be Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations

production zone were used to estimate differences in water levels between the

representative of conditions near the middle of the production zone. Report 00-4249, 1 sheet.

shallow system and the production zone at those points. These differences

were then used to estimate where each water-level contour in the production Although measurements used in this study to represent the ----- 2002, Spatial patterns and temporal variability in water quality from City

zone should cross the Rio Grande.

recent water-level surface in the production zone were collected over a of Albuquerque drinking-water supply wells and piezometer 

period of about 3 years, the measurements were determined to be nests, with implications for the ground-water flow system: U.S. For this study, the predevelopment water-level map of Bexfield and 

comparable given the general nature of the available data. Most of the Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 01- Anderholm (2000) was used to represent predevelopment conditions in the data were obtained from municipal-supply wells with long screened 4244, 101 p.

aquifer system. That map was intended to represent water levels in the upper 

intervals, across which water levels are likely to vary by several feet.

Data presented few hundred feet of the aquifer system rather than specifically in the  by Bexfield and Anderholm (2002) for deep nested U.S. Census Bureau, 2001, Metropolitan areas ranked by population--

piezometers spanning production zone or at the water table. Water-level data for the Bexfield and the production zone (described below in greater 

2000: U.S. Census Bureau data available on the World Wide Web,

detail) indicate that water levels commonly differ by about 10 feet or Anderholm (2000) map were obtained from a variety of sources and included 

accessed September 26, 2001, at URL

more from the top to the bottom of the zone. Because water-level data for multiple well types (such as domestic, municipal-supply, and stock 

http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/phc-t3.html.

measurements from different municipal-supply wells may not be wells) of varying construction and for springs. Within the study area of this 

representative of precisely the same part of the production zone, even investigation (see map), all data used for the predevelopment map were

measurements for the same day are broadly--though not exactly-- collected prior to 1961. More details on data sources for the predevelopment

comparable among different wells. The Bexfield and Anderholm study map are available in Bexfield and Anderholm (2000). Although the map by

(2002) also showed that current water-level declines in the production Bexfield and Anderholm was not designed specifically to represent water-level

zone, as indicated by water levels from piezometers, are about 1 to 2 conditions in the production zone of the aquifer system, the map was assumed

feet per year in most areas. Therefore, the error induced in comparing to provide information comparable to that provided by the newly constructed

water-level measurements collected over a period of about 3 years map of recent water levels in the production zone. Comparison of water levels

probably is nearly equivalent to the error in comparing water levels for 

between the two maps is subject to a level of error that is dependent on vertical 

the same year among wells having long screened intervals. A 

head gradients between the water table and the production zone. Water levels

reasonable estimate of this error probably is about 5 to 10 feet.

presented by Bexfield and Anderholm (2002) for piezometer nests--

particularly water levels measured during the winter months--indicate that this Most of the recent water-level data used for this report (see map)

error generally should not exceed 5 to 10 feet, the error likely to be associated were obtained from City of Albuquerque municipal-supply wells under a

with the map of recent water levels (as discussed above).

program funded cooperatively by the City of Albuquerque and the USGS

to measure near-static water levels during times of low water demand

(winter). Beginning in December 1996, water levels were measured METHODS OF ESTIMATING WATER-LEVEL CHANGE

between the months of December and April in as many as 70 municipalsupply wells. Water-level change in the production zone of the aquifer from Measurements were made only after the well had not been

pumped for a period of at least 2 weeks. Water levels were measured predevelopment to 2002 was estimated using a GIS. The water-level contours 

using either an electric or steel tape; the use of either should provide of the predevelopment map by Bexfield and Anderholm (2000) and of the

4930

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Prepared in cooperation with the

CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE

WATER-RESOURCES INVESTIGATIONS REPORT 02-4233

December 2002

EXPLANATION

Data sources:

USGS winter water-level measurement (by steel or electric tape) 

in City of Albuquerque drinking-water supply well,1999-2001

USGS winter water-level measurement (by steel or electric tape) 

in City of Rio Rancho drinking-water supply well, 2002

Kirtland Air Force Base or Sandia National Laboratories waterlevel measurement (by steel or electric tape) in monitoring well, 

1999-2001

USGS winter water-level measurement (by transducer or steel 

tape) in piezometer, 1999-2000

Estimated water-level decline,

in feet, 1960 to 2002

0 to 20

20 to 40

40 to 60

60 to 80

80 to 100

100 to 120

More than 120

Water-level contour, 2002--Interval 20 feet. Dashed where

inferred. Datum is sea level

City of Rio Rancho water-level measurement (by air line) in City

of Rio Rancho drinking-water supply well, 2000

No decline

Decline not estimated

Basin-bounding fault in the area of a large

hydraulic discontinuity, as identified by

Bexfield and Anderholm (2000)

Area of apparent hydraulic discontinuity, 

not near a known fault, as identified by

Bexfield and Anderholm (2000)

Arroyo

de

las

Calabacillas

Grande

Rio

Tijeras

Arroyo

SANDOVAL COUNTY

BERNALILLO COUNTY

SANDIA

INDIAN

RESERVATION

CIBOLA

NATIONAL

FOREST

CIBOLA

NATIONAL

FOREST

KIRTLAND

AIR FORCE

BASE

ISLETA INDIAN RESERVATION

CIB

O

L

A

N

ATIO

N

A

L

F

O

R

E

S

T

Rio Rancho

Corrales

Sandia Pueblo

0 2 4 6

0 2 4 6

MILES

KILOMETERS

Base compiled from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 1:100,000, 1977, 1978, 

and City of Albuquerque digital data, 1:2,400, 1994. Faults modified from Mark

Hudson and Scott Minor, U.S. Geological Survey, written commun., 1999

ALBUQUERQUE

4890

5

0

1

0

4990

4990

4970

4970

4950

4950

4

9

3

0

4930

4910

4890

4

8

7

0

4930

4910

4890

4870

4850

4870

4890

4910

4930

4870

4890

4890

4890

4910

4910

49

1

0

4930

4950

4930

35°

15'

35°

00'

10'

05'

106° 45' 40' 35' 106° 30’

40

25

40

25