U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5280

Ground-Water Hydrology and Water Quality of the Southern 

High Plains Aquifer, Cannon Air Force Base, Curry County, 

New Mexico, 1994–2005
Ground-Water Hydrology and Water 

Quality of the Southern High Plains Aquifer, 

Cannon Air Force Base, Curry County, 

New Mexico, 1994–2005

By Jeff B. Langman, Sarah E. Falk, Fredrick E. Gebhardt, and Paul J. Blanchard

Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force, Cannon Air Force Base

Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5280

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Mark D. Myers, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2006

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Suggested citation:

Langman, Jeff B., Falk, Sarah E., Gebhardt, Fredrick E., and Blanchard, Paul J., 2006, Ground-water hydrology and 

water quality of the Southern High Plains aquifer: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5280, 

61 p.
iii

Contents

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction....................................................................................................................................................2

Purpose and Scope..............................................................................................................................2

Description of the Study Area............................................................................................................2

Previous Studies...................................................................................................................................6

Study Methods......................................................................................................................................6

Ground-Water Monitoring ..................................................................................................................7

Non-Cannon Air Force Base Data...................................................................................................10

Acknowledgments..............................................................................................................................10

Ground-Water Hydrology...........................................................................................................................10

Ground-Water Altitude and Direction of Ground-Water Flow....................................................11

Ground-Water Levels in the Area Surrounding Cannon Air Force Base ..................................11

Ground-Water Levels at Landfill 5 and the Sewage Lagoons.....................................................11

Saturated Interval of Wells at Landfill 5 and the Sewage Lagoons...........................................15

Aquifer Recharge ...............................................................................................................................15

Ground-Water Quality.................................................................................................................................17

Anthropogenic Compounds..............................................................................................................17

Perchlorate..........................................................................................................................................19

Trace Elements ...................................................................................................................................19

Nitrate and Organic Carbon..............................................................................................................19

Major Ions............................................................................................................................................23

General Physical and Chemical Properties ...................................................................................26

Summary .......................................................................................................................................................27

References Cited.........................................................................................................................................31

Supplemental Information..........................................................................................................................34

Figures

 1. Map showing location of Cannon Air Force Base. .................................................................3

 2. Map showing location of monitoring and production wells at Cannon Air Force Base...4

 3. Contours of approximate ground-water altitude and general direction of 

ground-water flow in the Southern High Plains aquifer in the Cannon Air Force 

Base area, 1962, 1967, 1977, 1987, and 1997...........................................................................12

4. Graph showing water level of wells with the longest periods of record in the area 

surrounding Cannon Air Force Base , 1954–2004 .................................................................15

 5. Graph showing water-level seasonal fluctuations in selected monitoring wells at 

Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2005 .........................................................................................17

 6. Plot of maximum recorded trace-element concentrations in ground water at 

Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

(2005b) drinking-water standards............................................................................................20
iv

7–11. Boxplots showing:

7. Aluminum concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 

1994–2004. ...........................................................................................................................21

8. Iron concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004. .........21

9. Manganese concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 

1994–2004. ...........................................................................................................................22

10. Chromium concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 

1994–2004. ...........................................................................................................................22

11. Total nitrate, as nitrogen, concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air 

Force Base, 1994–2004......................................................................................................23

12. Graph showing total nitrate, as nitrogen, concentrations in ground water from 

wells near the Sewage Lagoons at Cannon Air Force Base, 1996–2004...........................24

13. Boxplots showing total organic carbon concentrations in ground water at Cannon 

Air Force Base, 1994–2004. .......................................................................................................24

14. Piper diagram of major-ion composition in ground water from selected wells at 

Cannon Air Force Base, July 2004. ..........................................................................................25

15. Graph showing calcium and sulfate concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air 

Force Base, June 2004...............................................................................................................25

16. Graph showing cation and sulfate ratios for ground water at Cannon Air Force 

Base, June 2004. .........................................................................................................................26

17. Boxplots showing ground-water specific conductance at Cannon Air Force Base, 

1994–2004. ....................................................................................................................................27

18. Graph showing ground-water specific conductance near the Sewage Lagoons at 

Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004..........................................................................................28

19. Graph showing ground-water specific conductance near Landfill 5 at Cannon Air 

Force Base, 1999–2004...............................................................................................................28

20. Boxplots showing ground-water temperatures at Cannon Air Force Base, 

1994–2004 .....................................................................................................................................29

21. Boxplots showing ground-water pH at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004 ....................29

 I–1. Map of location of selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding 

area. ..............................................................................................................................................35

Tables

 1. Cannon Air Force Base monitoring and production well information. ................................8

 2. Periods of record for Cannon Air Force Base monitoring and production wells...............9

 3. Water-quality constituents and laboratory analytical methods for ground-water 

samples collected at Cannon Air Force Base by the U.S. Geological Survey..................10

 4. Number of wells measured during each 5-year synoptic measurement in the area 

surrounding Cannon Air Force Base. ......................................................................................11

5. Measurements and changes in water level for wells surrounding Cannon Air Force 

Base, 1954–2004..........................................................................................................................13

 6. Number of wells surrounding Cannon Air Force Base with decreasing or increasing 

water level between successive 5-year synoptic measurements, 1962–97.....................14

 7. Changes in saturated interval for selected wells surrounding Cannon Air Force 

Base. .............................................................................................................................................14
v

 8. Measurements and changes in water level for wells near Landfill 5 and the 

Sewage Lagoons at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2005. ....................................................16

 9. Change in saturated interval for selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base.....................16

10. Maximum concentrations of anthropogenic compounds detected in ground-water 

samples collected by the U.S. Geological Survey at Cannon Air Force Base, 

1994–2004. ....................................................................................................................................18

11. Perchlorate concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base. ........................20

I–1. Information for selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area. ...36

I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the 

surrounding area. .......................................................................................................................39

Abbreviations

Cannon AFB Cannon Air Force Base

MDL method detection limit

min minute

μg/L micrograms per liter

mg/kg/day milligrams per kilogram per day

mg/L milligrams per liter

μS/cm microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

NWIS National Water Information System

ppb parts per billion

RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

RL reporting level

SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act

SWMU Solid Waste Management Unit

TOC total organic carbon

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

Conversion Factors and Datums

Multiply By To obtain

inch 2.540 centimeter (cm)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

acre 4,047 square meter (m2)

gallon (gal) 3.785 liter (L)

gal/min 0.06309 liter per second (L/s)

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) can be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows:

 °F = (1.8 x °C) + 32

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 

(NAVD 88).

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).
Abstract

In cooperation with the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Geological Survey has collected hydrologic data about the Southern 

High Plains aquifer at Cannon Air Force Base in east-central 

New Mexico since 1994. Under the guidance of the State of 

New Mexico, ground-water quality of the aquifer has been 

analyzed as part of annual monitoring at regulated sites at the 

base. This report provides a summary and interpretation of 

all available hydrologic data collected by the U.S. Geological 

Survey for Cannon Air Force Base environmental managers 

for the regulated sites of Landfill 5 and the Sewage Lagoons 

between 1994 and 2005.

Cannon Air Force Base is in the Southern High Plains 

physiographic region, and saturated deposits of the Ogallala 

Formation underlying the base are within the western boundary of the Southern High Plains aquifer. The general direction 

of ground-water flow in the Southern High Plains aquifer at 

Cannon Air Force Base is from northwest to southeast. In 

1962, ground water predominantly flowed northwest to southeast with minimal change in direction. Ground-water altitudes 

declined from 1962 to 1997, and a pronounced water-level 

recession (area of receding water level) developed northwest 

of the base, altering flow direction in this area. The recession 

northwest of the base and the subsequent change in direction 

of ground-water flow are indicative of local ground-water 

withdrawals upgradient from Cannon Air Force Base.

Historical water levels in wells within a 3-mile radius of 

Cannon Air Force Base declined in 52 of 56 wells for various periods of record between 1962 and 2004. Forty-three of 

the wells indicated strong linear decreases with time, and the 

largest decline was 91.80 feet, an average annual decline of 

about 2.13 feet per year. Water levels in monitoring wells at 

Cannon Air Force Base reflected the regional decline; water 

levels declined for all wells with periods of record greater than 

1 year, and the decreases were strongly linear. From 1994 to 

2005, rates of declining water levels at the base ranged from 

1.45 to 1.64 feet per year near the Sewage Lagoons and from 

2.24 to 4.01 feet per year near Landfill 5. The largest variation in water levels at Cannon Air Force Base was observed 

in wells C, D, and S, which are located adjacent to Landfill 5 

near the southern boundary of the base and near an irrigation 

well immediately south of the base boundary. Water levels in 

these wells indicated a pattern of summer water-level decline 

followed by partial winter water-level recovery, which was 

likely a result of drawdown and recovery during the irrigation 

and nonirrigation seasons.

Ground-water sampling by the U.S. Geological Survey 

from 1994 to 2004 at monitoring wells associated with Landfill 5 and the Sewage Lagoons indicated temporal and spatial 

differences in water quality. At least one anthropogenic compound was detected in each monitoring well, but all concentrations detected were small and less than U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency drinking-water standards. Anthropogenic 

compounds detected were either pesticide or industrial compounds. Perchlorate was detected in at least one sample from 

every well for which perchlorate was analyzed, and the source 

of perchlorate is likely natural and a result of atmospheric 

deposition. Trace-element concentrations in raw (pretreatment) 

ground water at Cannon Air Force Base were generally less 

than drinking-water standards (applicable to posttreatment 

samples), but maximum concentrations of aluminum, iron, 

and manganese exceeded secondary drinking-water standards, 

and maximum chromium concentrations exceeded the primary 

drinking-water standard. 

Spatial and temporal differences of nitrate, major ions, 

and specific conductance indicated anthropogenic and natural 

influences on the Southern High Plains aquifer at Cannon Air 

Force Base. Larger nitrate concentrations decreased in ground 

water near the Sewage Lagoons during and following decommissioning of the lagoons, and concentrations decreased to 

levels detected in ground water in wells not affected by the 

infiltrated wastewater. Similar cation/sulfate ratios were present for ground water from nearly all wells, except for samples 

from certain wells along the southern boundary of the base 

and the background well for the Sewage Lagoon monitoring. Temporal changes in specific conductance also indicated 

the declining influence of the Sewage Lagoons but additionally provided evidence of natural spatial differences in water 

quality at Cannon Air Force Base similar to major-ion results. 

Spatial differences in major ions and specific conductance 

indicated that ground water at Cannon Air Force Base is likely 

a mixture of multiple sources from different formations or 

recharge areas. 

Ground-Water Hydrology and Water Quality of the 

Southern High Plains Aquifer, Cannon Air Force Base, 

Curry County, New Mexico, 1994–2005

By Jeff B. Langman, Sarah E. Falk, Fredrick E. Gebhardt, and Paul J. Blanchard
   Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Introduction

In 2005, Cannon Air Force Base (Cannon AFB) environmental managers implemented a study to review and summarize hydrologic data that were collected by the U.S. Geological 

Survey (USGS) at a landfill and two sewage lagoons located 

on the base. In cooperation with the USGS, hydrologic data 

were compiled and analyzed for spatial and temporal differences. The interpretation of data collected at these sites 

provides a characterization of the Southern High Plains aquifer 

that Cannon AFB environmental managers can use for future 

planning efforts to protect the aquifer and ensure continued 

operation of all current (2006) activities. Analysis of hydrologic data collected at Cannon AFB provides an overview of 

the aquifer, the possible anthropogenic influences on the system from past and current operations, and differences in water 

quality that may be attributed to natural influences.

Cannon AFB is in Curry County, New Mexico (fig. 1), 

about 5 mi west of Clovis, New Mexico, at an average altitude 

of 4,295 ft. The base was originally established in 1942 as a 

U.S. Army air base following the use of the airfield as the Clovis Municipal Airport. The U.S. Army air base was deactivated 

in 1947, then reactivated in 1951 as a U.S. Air Force base. 

In 2004, more than 4,000 active military and civilians were 

employed at Cannon AFB in support of the 27th Fighter Wing 

and its F-16 aircraft.

In 1994, the USGS, in cooperation with Cannon AFB, 

began monitoring ground-water levels and ground-water quality at a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 

regulated site, Landfill 5, and a National Pollution Discharge 

Elimination System (NPDES) regulated site, Sewage Lagoons 

(fig. 2). From 1994 to 2005, the USGS collected data from 

an increasing network of monitoring wells at these two sites 

(fig. 2). The monitoring data were provided annually to Cannon AFB for submittal of ground-water-level and groundwater-quality data to the State of New Mexico to meet RCRA 

and NPDES regulatory requirements. Ground-water monitoring at these sites entailed ground-water sample collection from 

the unconfined aquifer at Cannon AFB, which is part of the 

western extension of the Southern High Plains aquifer in the 

Ogallala Formation. 

Landfill 5 is a designated solid waste management unit 

(SWMU-113) at Cannon AFB and is monitored under RCRA 

regulations. The landfill was operated from 1968 to 1988 and 

was used to dispose of domestic solid waste, waste oils and 

solvents, paint strippers and thinners, pesticide containers, 

and empty cans and drums (Cannon Air Force Base, 2002). 

The Sewage Lagoons (SWMU-101) were constructed in 

1966; discharge of treated wastewater from the Cannon AFB 

waste­water-treatment plant to the lagoons ceased in 1998. The 

lagoons consisted of two unlined surface impoundments that 

operated in series and received a combination of treated sanitary and industrial wastewater from base facilities (Tetra Tech 

EC, Inc., 2005). Following closure of the Sewage Lagoons 

in 1998, the area was allowed to remain undisturbed until 

2003 when the remaining sludge was removed from the north 

lagoon and consolidated with material in the south lagoon. A 

protective cover and a biotic barrier were constructed as corrective actions for closing of the lagoons (Tetra Tech EC, Inc., 

2005). Treated wastewater from the updated base treatment 

plant was diverted to Playa Lake (fig. 2) during closure of the 

Sewage Lagoons. With closure of the lagoons, monitoring 

wells in the Sewage Lagoons area are also used for monitoring 

of Playa Lake.

Purpose and Scope

This report describes the ground-water hydrology and 

water quality of the Southern High Plains aquifer at Cannon 

AFB. Description of the aquifer is based on available results of 

USGS ground-water monitoring from 1994 to 2005 of Cannon 

AFB monitoring wells at Landfill 5 and the Sewage Lagoons 

and associated background wells. Additionally, ground-wateraltitude data are presented for a 3-mi radius around the base 

to examine the hydrologic properties of the aquifer at Cannon 

AFB in relation to the regional aquifer properties. All data are 

presented in the context of the Southern High Plains aquifer at 

Cannon AFB and the surrounding area. To assist future planning efforts for use and protection of the aquifer, this report 

provides Cannon AFB environmental managers a summary 

of hydrologic data collected at Landfill 5 and the Sewage 

Lagoons, an overview of the Southern High Plains aquifer at 

Cannon AFB, the possible anthropogenic influences on the 

aquifer from past and current operations, and differences in 

water quality that may be attributed to natural influences.

Description of the Study Area

Cannon AFB is in the Southern High Plains physiographic region (Fenneman and Johnson, 1946) and lies atop 

a large plateau known as the Llano Estacado, which slopes 

gently to the east-southeast from eastern New Mexico into 

west Texas (Fahlquist, 2003). Topography at Cannon AFB is 

open and mostly flat and slopes gently to the southeast. No 

natural surface-water bodies are located on the base except 

minor ephemeral channels. Manmade ponds are located at the 

golf course (fig. 2) and the wastewater-treatment plant (Playa 

Lake). Cannon AFB is in the Plains-Mesa Grassland vegetation unit (Dick-Peddie, 1993), and natural vegetation typically 

consists of grasses and shrubs.

Cannon AFB is located within a semiarid region (Tuan 

and others, 1969). A weather station in nearby Clovis receives 

an average of about 17 inches of precipitation a year; average 

minimum and maximum temperatures are 43 and 72 degrees 

Fahrenheit (Western Regional Climate Center, 2005a). Most 

precipitation falls during the summer months, and much of the 

annual precipitation likely is lost to evapotranspiration. Annual 

pan evaporation at the weather station in Clovis averages 

86.64 inches; evaporation is largest from May through August 

(Western Regional Climate Center, 2005b). 
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Introduction 
Figure 2. Location of monitoring and production wells at Cannon Air Force Base.

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The base is located in the Curry County ground-water 

basin as designated by the State of New Mexico for the Southern High Plains aquifer in New Mexico (New Mexico Office 

of the State Engineer, 2005). Water used at Cannon AFB is 

supplied by nine production wells on the base (fig. 2). From 

1998 to 2003, annual pumpage from the production wells 

ranged from 416,787,600 (1999) to 502,524,600 (2000) gal. 

A total of 433,232,100 gal was pumped in 2003 (Earth Tech, 

Inc., 2005). Wells 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 12 supply potable water, 

and well 4 currently (2006) is offline. Well 4a supplies water 

to the golf course ponds, and well 9 is used solely for fire suppression supply (MWH, 2004).

The subsurface geology of the Southern High Plains aquifer at Cannon AFB includes the Chinle,1

 Ogallala, and Blackwater Draw Formations. The Chinle Formation of Triassic 

age forms the bottom of the unconfined Southern High Plains 

aquifer in this area, consists mostly of clay with some intermixed sand and silt, and ranges in thickness from 0 to 400 ft in 

eastern New Mexico (McGowen and others, 1977). The Ogallala Formation of Tertiary age is the main water-yielding unit 

of the Southern High Plains aquifer and lies unconformably 

atop the upper unit of the eastward-dipping Chinle Formation 

(Dutton and others, 2001). The Ogallala Formation consists of 

eolian sand and silt and fluvial and lacustrine sand, silt, clay, 

and gravel (McLemore, 2001) and ranges in thickness from 30 

to 600 ft in eastern New Mexico and west Texas (Gustavson, 

1996). 

The Blackwater Draw Formation of Quaternary age 

generally overlies the Ogallala Formation at Cannon AFB. The 

Blackwater Draw Formation is composed mostly of eolian 

sand deposits and ranges in thickness from 0 to 80 ft in eastern 

New Mexico (McLemore, 2001). A caliche layer is typically 

present in the unsaturated zone of the Blackwater or Ogallala 

Formations in New Mexico (Hart and McAda, 1985). Gustavson (1996) indicated that the caliche forming the Western 

Caprock Escarpment west of the base (fig. 1) is pedogenic 

carbonate that accumulated locally during the Tertiary and 

Quaternary Periods and that other buried caliche layers in the 

Ogallala Formation are not well known. Drilling at Cannon 

AFB has indicated that caliche is discontinuous, typically 

found within 30 ft of the surface, and of variable thickness 

(Fredrick Gebhardt, U.S. Geological Survey, oral commun., 

2004).

The saturated Ogallala Formation deposits at Cannon 

AFB are within the western boundary of the Southern High 

Plains aquifer (Hart and McAda, 1985). In New Mexico, the 

Southern High Plains aquifer is part of the larger High Plains 

aquifer system that extends from South Dakota to Texas and 

is commonly referred to as the Ogallala aquifer. The part of 

the Southern High Plains aquifer in New Mexico is composed 

of hydraulically connected geologic units of late Tertiary or 

Quaternary age and is underlain by rocks of Triassic, Jurassic, 

and Cretaceous age (Hart and McAda, 1985). The unconfined 

Southern High Plains aquifer in New Mexico is composed 

primarily of the Ogallala Formation (McLemore, 2001). 

 The Chinle Formation has informally been divided into 

upper and lower units (Dutton and Simpkins, 1986; McGowen 

and others, 1977). The upper unit is mud-rich with discontinuous sand deposits (Dutton and Simpkins, 1986) and contains 

a confined aquifer that typically produces only 1–2 gal/min 

of water (Trauger, 1972). The erosional surface of the upper 

unit of the Chinle creates an uneven contact with the Ogallala. Tertiary deposits filled the valleys, fluvial channels, 

and uplands of eroded Triassic deposits (Gustavson, 1996). 

Coarser material was deposited in the paleochannels, and finer 

sediments were deposited in the interchannel areas (Fahlquist, 

2003). Sand and clay layers are known to overlie the Chinle in 

eastern New Mexico and west Texas, thereby creating zones 

of variable permeabilities across the Ogallala/Chinle contact 

(Nativ and Gutierrez, 1988).

The unconformity and variable deposition of sediments 

at the Ogallala/Chinle contact resulted in differing horizontal 

lithology with highly variable spatial porosity and permeability. The variable lithology results in a discontinuous aquifer in 

the Ogallala near the Western Caprock Escarpment that was 

mapped by Hart and McAda (1985). This discontinuity was 

not mapped at Cannon AFB and has not been identified during 

well installation at the base (Fredrick Gebhardt, U.S. Geological 

Survey, oral commun., 2005) but likely exists west of the base.

The uneven contact of the Ogallala and Chinle Formations also resulted in variable vertical permeabilities. Nativ 

(1988) found more permeable and less permeable sequences 

near the Ogallala/Chinle contact in Roosevelt County southwest of the base and variations in water quality in the Southern 

High Plains aquifer along the Western Caprock Escarpment 

that were attributed to upward leakage of Chinle water into 

the Southern High Plains aquifer. Langman and others (2004) 

described geochemical evidence of leakage from the Chinle 

into the Ogallala that resulted in different water types in the 

Southern High Plains aquifer at Melrose Air Force Range, 

20 mi west of Cannon AFB.

 Recharge to the Southern High Plains aquifer has been 

estimated to range from 0.01 inch per year (Stone and McGurk, 

1985) to 1.71 inches per year (Mantei and others, 1966–1967); 

most estimates are less than 1 inch per year (Musharrafieh and 

Logan, 1999). How the aquifer is recharged has been debated, 

but the current conceptual model indicates that most recharge 

occurs through playa areas and that interplaya areas contribute 

little recharge (Scanlon and others, 2003). 

Ground water in the New Mexico part of the Southern High Plains aquifer generally is suitable for domestic, 

municipal, and irrigation uses. The water typically contains 

large concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate 

and potentially objectionable concentrations of chloride and 

fluoride for domestic use (Hart and McAda, 1985). Water from 

1

The Chinle Formation has various accepted names: Chinle Formation, 

Chinle Formation of the Dockum Group, and Chinle Group (U.S. Geological 

Survey, 2002). All three names have been used for the geologic description of 

areas in east-central New Mexico with usage dependent on locally identified 

units. “Chinle Formation” is used in this report. Locally, this formation is 

known as the “red beds.”

Introduction   
older formations, such as the Chinle, is known to be of lesser 

quality (Nativ, 1988; Langman and others, 2004). 

Farmers began using the Southern High Plains aquifer 

in the 1940s for irrigation, and about 94 percent of the water 

pumped from the entire High Plains aquifer in 1995 was 

used for irrigation (McGuire and others, 2003). Large-scale 

agriculture did not develop near the study area until the 1950s, 

but ground-water pumping has occurred since the early 1900s 

(Musharrafieh and Logan, 1999). In New Mexico, water-level 

declines in the Southern High Plains aquifer have been smaller 

than in other States (greater than 150 ft in parts of west Texas), 

but in New Mexico the saturated thickness of the Southern 

High Plains aquifer is generally less than 100 ft (year 2000) 

(McGuire and others, 2003).

Within New Mexico, ground water in the Southern High 

Plains aquifer generally flows eastward or southeastward (Hart 

and McAda, 1985), which is considered the overall direction 

of regional flow in the unconfined aquifer surrounding Cannon 

AFB. Fifty years of ground-water pumping has created numerous cones of depression that have reversed ground-water flow 

gradients around heavily irrigated areas (Musharrafieh and 

Logan, 1999).

Previous Studies

No hydrologic studies have been published for distribution to the public concerning the ground-water resources of 

Cannon AFB. The USGS and private contractors have submitted data reports to Cannon AFB for submission to the State of 

New Mexico for compliance with RCRA, NPDES, and Safe 

Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements. 

Study Methods

This study was based on data available from USGS monitoring at Cannon AFB that included data from 12 monitoring 

wells at Landfill 5, 11 monitoring wells at Sewage Lagoons and 

Playa Lake, and 3 perimeter background wells located along 

the base boundary and upgradient of these two sites. Additional 

data include water-level measurements from wells located within 

an approximate 3-mi radius surrounding the base collected as 

part of the USGS/State of New Mexico ground-water monitoring program (data published in annual USGS Water Resource 

Data Reports for New Mexico) and ground-water-quality data 

provided by Cannon AFB environmental managers for wells N, 

O, Oa, P, Pa, R, and Ra and the nine production wells sampled 

by private contractors. Wells used for this investigation are listed 

in table 1, and periods of record for data collection are listed in 

table 2. USGS data for wells O, P, and R and their replacements 

Oa, Pa, and Ra were combined for data analysis. Wells that went 

dry because of declining water levels and shallow well depths 

were replaced by deeper wells in the same location with the same 

well designation but appended with an “a”. Water-quality data 

collected by private contractors for wells N, O, Oa, P, Pa, R, and 

Ra were submitted to the State of New Mexico for annual/semiannual monitoring of RCRA-designated sites, and water-quality 

data for the nine production wells were submitted to the State of 

New Mexico per SDWA requirements. Data from private contractors were not compiled with USGS data because of differences 

in sampling and analytical methods. Water-quality data collected 

by contractors are noted when presented in the text to supplement USGS data when the contractor data may provide insight 

concerning water-quality differences or conditions. 

To examine the decreasing water levels near and at Cannon AFB, changes to water levels were calculated for each 

well located within an approximate 3-mi radius surrounding 

the base for which there were three or more water-level measurements in the USGS National Water Information System 

(NWIS) database (http://nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/). Data 

were analyzed for a period-of-record change in water level for 

wells in the Cannon AFB surrounding area and an annual and 

period-of-record change for wells at Cannon AFB. Additionally, linear least-squares regression was used to examine 

the correlation of water-level change and time (R2 value for 

strength of relation). 

A linear regression’s R2 value indicates how well a trend 

line fits the water-level data and provides an indicator of 

model fit or the strength of the relation of the two variables 

(water level and time). The R2 values ranged from very small 

(for example, less than 0.01), which indicates a very poor 

(nearly random) fit of the trend line to the water-level data, to 

0.99, which indicates a very strong correlation of the predicted 

values (trend line) to the water-level data. An R2 value cannot 

solely indicate the predictive value of the regression model but 

only indicates the strength of the model in explaining the variance of the data. Its value to this analysis is the association of 

the indicated trend in water level over the period of record as 

opposed to annual fluctuations possibly associated with local 

pumping effects or changes to local recharge. A strong relation 

(R2 greater than 0.75 was used for this study) between water 

level and time for a group of spatially diverse wells is indicative of regional changes (decreases or increases in water level) 

in the aquifer’s water table.

The saturated interval of a well is discussed instead 

of saturated thickness of the Southern High Plains aquifer 

because the authors cannot confirm that all wells are screened 

at the bottom of the aquifer. Wells drilled by the USGS at Cannon AFB (L, M, Oa, P, Pa, S, T, U, V, W, and X) penetrate the 

entire thickness of the Ogallala Formation, and large screen 

lengths typically were installed because of declining water 

levels. The remaining monitoring wells at Cannon AFB (wells 

A–J, N, O, Q, R, Ra, and all production wells) were drilled by 

contractors hired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Monitoring wells installed by private contractors were typically 

specified to reach a set depth and screened across the water 

table. A review of well logs maintained by the New Mexico 

Office of the State Engineer for wells in the surrounding area 

indicated that wells in this area typically penetrate the entire 

Ogallala Formation, but screen placement was not recorded. 

 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico
Ground-water-quality sampling by the USGS at Cannon AFB has been motivated by RCRA and NPDES regulatory requirements for the monitoring of Landfill 5 and the 

Sewage Lagoons. Each site had individual requirements for 

the constituents to be analyzed, and wells were added to the 

monitoring network between 1994 and 2005. Where data were 

available, spatial and temporal differences in water levels and 

water quality were evaluated. Water-quality data from the 

2005 sampling were not included because results had not been 

received at the time of data analysis. Water-quality data also 

were compared with SDWA standards established by the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 

SDWA standards provide a useful benchmark for evaluating the quality of ground water for potential water supply. All 

wells at Landfill 5 and the Sewage Lagoons are for monitoring 

only, and the production wells at Cannon AFB are used for 

water supply. SDWA standards are promulgated as posttreatment concentrations, but data collected by the USGS at Cannon AFB were derived from raw (pretreatment and unfiltered) 

samples for analysis of total concentrations. Comparisons 

between pre- and posttreatment concentrations can be misleading if the total concentration from the raw sample includes a 

concentration fraction resulting from suspended material that 

would not be present if the sample were treated for suspended 

sediments (such as settling or filtering).

Water-quality constituent concentrations in ground 

water at Cannon AFB were compared with USEPA primary 

and secondary drinking-water standards derived for the 

SDWA. Primary drinking-water standards have maximum 

contaminant levels (MCLs), are legally enforceable standards for public water systems, and are used to protect public 

health (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2005b). Secondary drinking-water standards are nonenforceable guidelines for regulating contaminants that may cause cosmetic 

or esthetic effects in drinking water (U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, 2005b). 

Water-quality constituent concentrations in ground 

water at Cannon AFB are presented with respect to reporting 

levels (RLs) and method detection levels (MDLs). An MDL 

is defined as the statistically calculated minimum concentration that can be measured with 99 percent confidence that the 

reported value is greater than zero; MDLs are determined from 

replicate analyses of small concentration standards in a typical 

representative matrix (Oblinger Childress and others, 1999). 

An MDL is used to control the reporting of false positives. 

An RL is typically the smallest concentration at which the 

measurement becomes quantitatively meaningful (quantitation 

limit) and is usually about three times the MDL (Severn Trent 

Laboratories, Inc., 2004). RLs are used to reduce reporting of 

false negatives. Concentrations between the MDL and RL are 

noted as estimated values.

Ground-Water Monitoring 

The USGS measured water levels at Cannon AFB monitoring wells below a known, fixed altitude from 1994 to 2005 

by using either an electric tape or steel tape. These water-level 

data were not published as part of the annual USGS Water 

Resources Data Reports for New Mexico as were the waterlevel data collected by the USGS outside of the base boundaries as part of the USGS/State of New Mexico ground-water 

monitoring program. Water-level data collected by the USGS 

at Cannon AFB are presented in the “Supplemental Information” section of this report. The USGS collected water-quality 

samples at Cannon AFB monitoring wells from 1994 to 2004 

by using dedicated submersible pumps or a portable submersible pump. All ground-water samples were analyzed at the 

USGS contract laboratory–Severn Trent Laboratories Denver 

in Arvada, Colorado. During the study period, USGS sampling 

of monitoring wells was modified as individual wells were 

added or dropped, and wells were sampled annually or biannually, depending on regulatory requirements. No samples were 

collected from well J (table 1) because the well did not contain 

sufficient water following installation by a private contractor. 

Water-quality samples were collected and analyzed as total 

concentrations (unfiltered samples) (table 3). 

Quality-assurance procedures were used for water-level 

measurements and for collection and processing of waterquality samples during the USGS monitoring at Cannon AFB 

from 1994 to 2005. Prior to purging, repeated measurements 

were made to ensure that water levels were stable. During 

purging, field values of specific conductance, water temperature, and pH were monitored in a flowthrough chamber and 

allowed to stabilize before sample collection. Stable field measurements were used to determine sufficient purge amounts for 

sampling formation water. Field measurements were deemed 

stable if a minimum of three or more sequential measurements 

during a minimum 10-minute period were within the following parameter ranges: specific conductance, +0.3 percent; 

temperature, +0.2°C; and pH, +0.1 standard unit (Wilde and 

Radtke, 2005).

Four types of quality-control samples were collected in the 

field during each sampling trip as part of the USGS monitoring at Cannon AFB: replicates, matrix spikes, field-equipment 

blanks, and trip blanks. Sequential replicate samples were collected at randomly selected wells—one for a Landfill 5 well and 

one for a Sewage Lagoons well—to evaluate laboratory precision. Matrix-spike and matrix-spike duplicate samples were collected to ascertain matrix interference. One field-equipment blank 

was collected to determine the adequacy of cleaning procedures 

of the portable submersible pump. Trip-blank samples were 

stored with volatile-organic-compound samples during transport 

to the laboratory to ensure that outside contaminants were not 

introduced to the samples. In addition, Severn Trent Laboratories used internal quality-assurance and quality-control practices 

including the analysis of laboratory-control and method-blank 

samples with the submitted USGS samples (Severn Trent Laboratories, Inc., 2004). 

Introduction 
 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Table 1. Cannon Air Force Base monitoring and production well information.

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; NAVD 88, North American Vertical Datum of 1988; NAD 83, North American Datum of 1983; ft bls, feet below 

land surface to bottom of well casing; ft, feet; PVC, polyvinyl chloride; NA, not available]

Well 

identifier (fig. 

2)

Well 

identifier

(fig. I-1)

USGS identification number

Land-surface 

altitude (ft 

above

NAVD 88)

Latitude 

(NAD 83)

Longitude 

(NAD 83)

Well 

depth 

(ft bls)

Casing 

material

Screened 

interval from 

top of screen 

(ft)

Top of screen 

altitude 

(ft above 

NAVD 88)

Landfill 5 wells

A 65 342218103182601 4,263.83 34°22’18.91” 103°18’31.44” 343 PVC 15 3,935.83 

B 61 342203103181001 4,262.10 34°22’02.67” 103°18’10.36” 362 PVC 15 3,914.80 

C 53 341256103180801 4,263.72 34°21’56.68” 103°18’16.50” 362 PVC 15 3,916.72 

D 56 342157103181701 4,261.94 34°21’57.13” 103°18’24.44” 357 PVC 15 3,920.19 

I 57 342158103180601 4,261.57 34°21’58.94” 103°18’10.39” 291 PVC 20 3,990.57 

J1 54 342156103180802 4,261.11 34°21’56” 103°18’08” NA NA NA NA

L 60 342201103180901 4,261.38 34°22’00.99” 103°18’09.94” 285 PVC 20 4,000.38 

M 59 342200103181001 4,261.28 34°21’59.94” 103°18’10.07” 287 PVC 20 3,999.00 

Q 66 342219103183101 4,263.50 34°22’18.99” 103°18’31.40” 294 PVC 30 3,999.10 

S 55 342157103181101 4,260.72 34°21’57.01” 103°18’10.70” 365 PVC 40 3,976.72 

T 58 342200103180901 4,260.82 34°22’00.07” 103°18’09.47” 365 PVC 40 3,976.82 

U 62 342205106181001 4,262.27 34°22’04.81” 103°18’09.93” 365 PVC 40 3,978.27 

Sewage Lagoons and Playa Lake wells

E 94 342328103182401 4,279.70 34°23’26.51” 103°18’26.23” 373 PVC 15 3,924.70 

F 89 342321103181001 4,274.93 34°23’21.29” 103°18’14.32” 375 PVC 15 3,919.93 

G 86 342313103180801 4,276.46 34°23’12.86” 103°18’12.07” 372 PVC 15 3,919.46 

H 81 342307103181601 4,275.98 34°23’07.72” 103°18’17.43” 375 PVC 15 3,920.98 

N 87 342317103174701 4,265.88 34°23’18.11” 103°17’46.60” 297 PVC 30 3,998.88 

O 78 342304103174401 4,269.26 34°23’00.25” 103°17’50.42” 303 PVC 30 3,995.95 

Oa 77 342300103175001 4,270.11 34°23’00.33” 103°17’50.60” 365 PVC 60 3,970.11 

P 82 342309103180601 4,270.55 34°23’10.43” 103°18’08.02” 300 PVC 20 4,000.55 

Pa 85 342310103180801 4,270.85 34°23’10.05” 103°18’08.27” 360 PVC 60 3,875.85 

R NA Non-USGS well Decommissioned after construction because of steel pipe used in constructing the well

Ra 91 342323103180801 4,272.31 34°23’23.50” 103°18’08.23” 311 PVC 30 3,991.75 

Perimeter background wells

V 107 342418103201201 4,324.82 34°24’18.00” 103°20’12.62” 370 PVC 60 4,019.82 

W 98 342348103175801 4,296.95 34°23’48.64” 103°17’57.65” 365 PVC 60 3,996.95 

X 67 342222103194301 4,264.76 34°22’22.16” 103°19’43.14” 336 PVC 40 3,973.76 

Production wells

2 NA Non-USGS well 24,306 234°24’15.3” 3103°19’44.5” 380 Steel 94.5 24,021

3 NA Non-USGS well 24,307 234°23’55.5” 3103°18’47.4” 402 Steel 87 23,997

4 NA Non-USGS well 24,313 234°24’10.0” 3103°19’16.2” 357 Steel 51 24,010

4a NA Non-USGS well 24,316 234°24’02.8” 3103°19’15.0” 411 Steel 60 23,965

5 NA Non-USGS well 24,293 234°23’38.9” 3103°18’09.4” 402 Steel 102 24,009

7 NA Non-USGS well 24,319 234°23’45.4” 3103°19’48.8” 382 Steel 90 24,039

8 NA Non-USGS well 24,321 234°24’13.5” 3103°19’11.0” 415 Steel 100 24,020

9 NA Non-USGS well 24,270 234°22’31.3” 3103°18’38.0” 385 Steel 49 23,949

12 NA Non-USGS well 24,314 234°24’01.5” 3103°18’47.0” 410 Steel 50 23,964 1 Well was drilled by private contractor prior to 1994 but never contained sufficient water for sampling or water-level measurement.

2 Altitude reported as feet above mean sea level; no datum indicated (Earth Tech, Inc., 2005).

3 Latitude and longitude of production wells were determined from map placement (Earth Tech, Inc., 2005).
Table 2. Periods of record for Cannon Air Force Base monitoring and 

production wells.

[USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; NA, not available]

Well identifier 

(fig. 2)

USGS identification 

number

USGS water-level/water-quality 

period of record

Landfill 5 wells

A 342218103182601 1994-96, 2005

B 342203103181001 1994, 1995, 1999-2005

C 342156103180801 1998-2005

D 342157103181701 1999-2005

I 342158103180601 1994-99

J 342156103180802 No data collected

L 342201103180901 1994-97

M 342200103181001 1994-97

Q 342219103183101 1997-2003

S 342157103181101 1999-2005

T 342200103180901 1999-2005

U 342205103181001 1999-2005

Sewage Lagoons and Playa Lake wells

E 342328103182401 1994, 1996-2005

F 342321103181001 1996-2005

G 342313103180801 1996-2005

H 342307103181601 1994, 1996-2005

N 342317103174701 1996

O 342304103174401 1996

Oa 342300103175001 1 NA

P 342309103180601 1995, 1996

Pa 342310103180801 1 NA

R Non-USGS well 1 NA

Ra 342323103180801 1 NA

Perimeter background wells

V 342418103201201 2005

W 342348103175801 2005

X 342222103194301 2005

Production wells

2 Non-USGS well 1 NA

3 Non-USGS well 1 NA

4 Non-USGS well 1 NA

4a Non-USGS well 1 NA

5 Non-USGS well 1 NA

7 Non-USGS well 1 NA

8 Non-USGS well 1 NA

9 Non-USGS well 1 NA

12 Non-USGS well 1 NA

1 The full period of record for these wells is unknown. Sampling was performed by private 

contractors at the request of Cannon Air Force Base according to State of New Mexico 

requirements. Data from these wells were not grouped with USGS data for analysis. 

Individual sampling periods for these wells are referenced in the text where the data are 

used to supplement interpretation of USGS data.

Introduction   
10 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Non-Cannon Air Force Base Data

To determine ground-water flow patterns for the Southern 

High Plains aquifer in the vicinity of Cannon AFB, water-level 

measurements were retrieved from the USGS NWIS database 

for an approximate 3-mi radius surrounding the base. Information about these wells is listed in table I-1; well locations are 

shown in figure I-1, and water levels are listed in table I–2 

in “Supplemental Information” (in the back of the report). 

Excluding the Landfill 5 and Sewage Lagoons wells, about 

600 water-level measurements were available for 120 wells 

in the 3-mi-radius area surrounding Cannon AFB (Cannon 

AFB area), the earliest recorded in 1954. The majority of 

water-level measurements were made in January or February, 

typically before the onset of the irrigation season.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the support and help from the 

Pollution Prevention Unit of the Cannon AFB Engineering 

Department. Peter Zamie, Dennis Timmons, John Rebman, 

and Don White of Cannon AFB initiated this study and provided useful insight for completion of the study goals. 

Ground-Water Hydrology

The ground-water hydrology of the Southern High Plains 

aquifer in the Cannon AFB area is controlled by recharge 

characteristics and the contact between the saturated Ogallala 

Formation and the underlying Chinle Formation. Substantial evapotranspiration likely limits diffuse areal recharge. 

Table 3. Water-quality constituents and laboratory analytical methods for ground-water samples collected at Cannon Air 

Force Base by the U.S. Geological Survey.

 [USEPA/EPA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; SW, 1 USEPA Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Wastes; MCAWW, 2 USEPA Methods for 

Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes; oC, degrees Celsius]

Analysis constituent or group Description USEPA method3

Landfill 5 constituents

Cyanide SW846 9012A

Sulfide SW846 9030B/9034

Organic carbon SW846 9060

Major cations Ca, Mg, K, Na SW846 6010

Perchlorate EPA 314.0/SW846 8321A

Trace elements Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, V, Zn SW846 6010/6020

Mercury SW7470A

Organic halogens All organic halides containing bromine, chlorine, or iodine SW846 9020B

Volatile organic compounds 56 organic compounds with low boiling points (less than 200°C) SW846 8260B

Semivolatile organic 

compounds

107 neutral, basic, and acidic organic compounds that are soluble in 

methylene chloride SW846 8270C

Dioxins and furans Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans SW846 8280

Polynuclear aromatic 

hydrocarbons 18 hydrocarbon compounds with multiple benzene rings SW846 8310

Organochlorine pesticides 24 chlorine-based pesticides SW846 8081A

Polychlorinated biphenyls 7 mixtures (aroclors) and 7 individual compounds (congeners) SW846 8082

Chlorinated herbicides 4 chlorinated herbicides SW846 8151A

Sewage Lagoons and Playa Lake constituents

Dissolved solids MCAWW 160.1

Nitrogen, nitrate plus nitrite

Values are nitrate plus nitrite or nitrate, as nitrogen. If both existed for 

the sample date, nitrate plus nitrite was included and nitrate was 

excluded.

MCAWW 353.2

Major cations Ca, Mg, K, Na SW846 6010

Sulfide SW846 9030B/9034

Sulfate MCAWW 300.0A

Perchlorate EPA 314.0

Trace elements Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, V, Zn SW846 6010/6020

Mercury SW7470A

Volatile organic compounds 56 organic compounds with low boiling points (less than 200°C) SW846 8260B

Organochlorine pesticides 24 chlorine-based pesticides SW846 8081A

Polychlorinated biphenyls 7 mixtures (aroclors) and 7 individual compounds (congeners) SW846 8082

1

 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1986).

2

 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1983).

3

 All water-quality constituents were analyzed by the USGS contract laboratory, Severn Trent Laboratories Denver in Arvada, Colorado, from unfiltered 

samples.
The Ogallala/Chinle contact provides the main control for 

regional flow in the water-table aquifer, and pumping likely 

has a strong effect on local flow. Ground-water altitudes are 

discussed for the Cannon AFB area (regional) and Landfill 5 

and Sewage Lagoons (local).

Ground-Water Altitude and Direction of 

Ground-Water Flow

From 1962 to 1997, synoptic water-level measurements 

were conducted every 5 years in the Cannon AFB area during January through March as part of a USGS cooperative 

program with the State of New Mexico. The specific wells and 

number of wells measured varied between synoptic periods (table 4). Synoptic water-level measurements for 1962, 

1967, 1977, 1987, and 1997 were sufficient in areal coverage 

for determining ground-water flow patterns and comparing 

changes in ground-water altitude in the study area (fig. 3). 

The general direction of ground-water flow in the Cannon 

AFB area is from northwest to southeast. In 1962, the direction of ground-water flow in the Cannon AFB area was fairly 

uniform, and ground water predominantly flowed northwest 

to southeast with minimal change in direction. Ground-water 

altitudes declined from 1962 to 1997, and a pronounced waterlevel recession (area of receding water level) developed northwest of the base, altering flow direction in this area (fig. 3). 

The declining ground-water altitude in the Cannon AFB area 

reflects the decline in water levels in the Southern High Plains 

aquifer as described by McGuire and others (2003).

Table 4. Number of wells measured during each 

5-year synoptic measurement in the area surrounding 

Cannon Air Force Base.

Year of synoptic water-level 

measurement

Number of wells 

measured

1962 29

1967 28

1972 31

1977 44

1982 77

1987 74

1992 13

1997 28

Ground-Water Levels in the Area Surrounding 

Cannon Air Force Base

Ground-water levels have declined substantially throughout the Southern High Plains aquifer since the mid-1940s 

when ground water was first used for irrigated agriculture 

(McGuire and others, 2003). In the Cannon AFB area, three 

or more water-level measurements were made between 1954 

and 2004 for 56 of 120 wells with data in the NWIS database 

(excluding the Landfill 5 and Sewage Lagoons wells). These 

wells included irrigation, stock, domestic, observation, and 

unused wells and typically were measured during winter or 

early spring. The largest water-level decline at a well in the 

Cannon AFB area was 91.80 ft from 1962 to 2004, an average annual decline of about 2.13 ft per year (well 40, table 5). 

Water levels in 52 of the 56 wells declined during the various periods of record, and water levels in 43 of the 56 wells 

indicated a strong linear decrease with time (R2 greater than 

0.75) (table 5). 

Comparison of changes in water level between successive 

5-year synoptic measurements indicates substantially more 

wells with decreasing than increasing water levels between 

each 5-year period (table 6). Wells with the longest records of 

water-level measurements exhibit minor periods of recovery 

but a dominant decline in water levels during the past 50 years 

(fig. 4). The declining regional water-level data likely indicate ground-water withdrawals from the aquifer that exceed 

recharge. The differences in slope of the declining water levels 

in the Cannon AFB area indicate a spatial variability (local 

effects) to the regional decline (fig. 4). 

With declining water levels, the saturated thickness of 

the aquifer in the Cannon AFB area also has decreased. A 

smaller saturated thickness can reduce the pumping capacity 

of a well or enlarge the cone of depression around a pump 

if discharge rates are maintained. The altitude of the bottom 

of the Southern High Plains aquifer is variable because of 

the eroded surface of the Chinle Formation, which creates a 

variable saturated thickness in the Cannon AFB area. Wells in 

the Cannon AFB area with the longest records of water-level 

measurements indicate the effect of declining water levels on 

the saturated interval penetrated by the wells (table 7). The 

saturated interval at these wells decreased at least 35 percent 

for all wells, and the largest decrease was about 71 percent 

(well 40).

Ground-Water Levels at Landfill 5 and the 

Sewage Lagoons

The USGS has measured water levels in monitoring wells 

surrounding Landfill 5 and the Sewage Lagoons concurrently 

with water-sample collection since 1994. Water levels in wells 

at Cannon AFB reflect the regional decline that was apparent in the surrounding area; water levels declined in all wells 

during their periods of record except at well X (fig. 2), which 

had a period of record shorter than 1 year (table 8). The rates of 

decline in most wells can be separated into two spatial groups. 

Near the Sewage Lagoons (wells E, F, G, H, N, O/Oa, and P/Pa) 

(fig. 2), rates of decline ranged from 1.45 to 1.64 ft per year; 

near Landfill 5 (wells B, C, D, I, L, M, S, T, and U) (fig. 2), 

rates of decline ranged from 2.24 to 4.01 ft per year. The difference in rates of decline for ground water at the Sewage Lagoons 

and Landfill 5 was likely a result of local recharge to the aquifer 

near the Sewage Lagoons from infiltration of treated wastewater 

Ground-Water Hydrology 11
12 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Figure 3. Approximate ground-water altitude and general direction of ground-water flow in the Southern High Plains aquifer in the 

Cannon Air Force Base area, 1962, 1967, 1977, 1987, and 1997.

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Table 5. Measurements and changes in water level for wells surrounding Cannon Air Force Base, 1954–2004.

[R2, statistical value that describes the proportion of variation in the data explained by the least-squares regression model—water level relative to time]

Well 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identification number

First

measurement

Last

measurement

Number of 

measurements

Water-level change 

during period of record1

(feet)

R2

1 341903103145601 01/09/80 01/07/87 5 –18.09 0.98

4 341915103180501 01/13/61 01/28/67 3 –4.42 0.99

5 341918103175001 01/13/61 01/28/67 3 –5.52 0.58

6 341919103175001 01/18/77 02/20/97 4 –31.56 0.99

8 341935103145601 01/19/84 01/07/98 14 –46.01 0.93

10 341936103155801 03/13/72 02/19/97 5 –64.57 0.99

13 341944103141001 01/08/94 01/24/97 3 –17.16 0.99

20 342011103191701 01/19/77 01/23/97 9 –29.86 0.95

21 342015103231501 01/21/77 02/06/87 3 –5.96 0.99

22 342025103211601 01/12/60 01/18/72 5 –48.44 0.67

23 342033103155801 02/26/69 03/06/04 29 –81.25 0.98

24 342034103170101 02/26/63 03/12/87 7 –50.77 0.99

25 342034103175101 01/26/77 03/06/04 5 –65.14 0.99

27 342036103201301 12/16/71 03/11/87 4 –11.86 0.99

28 342036103220001 01/10/67 02/20/03 30 –23.06 0.72

31 342047103232001 01/12/61 01/05/77 4 –11.17 0.52

36 342113103173401 07/08/75 01/15/87 3 –16.33 0.99

39 342117103160701 02/27/62 01/07/77 3 –32.95 0.88

40 342121103142301 02/27/62 03/05/04 29 –91.80 0.93

41 342126103164501 01/05/75 01/06/98 23 –45.78 0.96

42 342127103185501 01/16/67 02/09/82 4 –23.52 0.99

45 342135103211402 01/05/77 02/06/87 4 –10.24 0.97

47 342140103190501 02/10/54 03/04/04 39 –61.88 0.94

48 342142103221201 02/17/82 03/14/02 5 0.43 0.00

49 342145103232501 03/08/62 01/05/77 4 –0.81 0.08

70 342232103211801 02/26/82 02/10/87 3 –4.14 0.99

73 342240103175001 02/10/54 01/15/87 7 –44.75 0.96

74 342246103172101 01/12/72 02/11/82 3 –12.44 0.99

75 342246103204201 01/27/77 03/07/97 4 32.89 0.44

79 342306103142101 01/20/67 01/15/87 5 –23.78 0.96

83 342310103160901 01/06/56 01/12/88 28 –35.60 0.87

84 342310103165901 02/10/54 03/04/04 7 –59.60 0.98

90 342323103145601 01/10/83 01/08/98 15 –11.90 0.57

95 342338103203701 01/23/67 03/05/04 7 –45.88 0.89

97 342344103224901 02/17/82 03/13/92 3 1.38 0.06

100 342358103151601 10/27/77 01/15/87 3 –3.85 0.99

102 342404103210401 01/30/67 02/05/87 5 –37.15 0.95

106 342418103180601 02/16/82 02/21/97 3 –10.89 0.97

108 342419103232301 01/05/77 03/07/97 4 –3.99 0.51

111 342442103213601 03/06/62 01/06/79 12 –48.62 0.95

112 342453103141901 01/25/77 01/15/87 3 –1.28 0.99

Ground-Water Hydrology 13
14 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Well 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identification number

First

measurement

Last

measurement

Number of 

measurements

Water-level change 

during period of record1

(feet)

R2

114 342456103195201 03/14/62 01/27/87 7 –81.96 0.87

115 342457103213901 01/31/72 01/17/97 13 –32.25 0.52

116 342505103151801 03/03/62 01/06/98 29 –40.90 0.33

120 342519103230101 03/03/62 01/11/86 20 –53.80 0.85

121 342520103165601 04/21/54 01/26/77 11 –50.92 0.96

123 342522103203801 03/03/62 01/31/72 3 –26.81 0.95

125 342532103180501 01/29/82 02/21/97 3 –1.78 0.97

130 342548103193601 03/14/62 03/03/04 29 –32.72 0.57

134 342559103183401 02/23/82 04/03/87 3 12.80 0.99

136 342609103172701 03/16/77 01/13/87 3 –5.27 0.95

137 342615103220701 03/03/62 03/07/97 7 –82.73 0.80

140 342630103145201 04/21/54 02/04/77 12 –32.35 0.90

142 342633103155301 01/06/71 03/11/04 24 –20.52 0.76

143 342638103162401 03/03/62 02/04/77 3 –21.65 0.99

144 342653103195201 01/20/69 01/13/87 5 –14.12 0.97

Table 6. Number of wells surrounding Cannon Air Force Base with increasing or decreasing water level between 

successive 5-year synoptic measurements, 1962–97.

1962–67 1967–72 1972–77 1977–82 1982–87 1987–92 1992–97

Number of wells 20 19 24 33 65 13 11

Wells with increase 4 1 1 3 12 2 1

Wells with decrease 16 18 23 30 53 10 10

Table 7. Changes in saturated interval for selected wells surrounding Cannon Air Force Base.

[Initial, initial saturated interval in feet and date of water-level measurement; Final, final saturated interval in feet and date of water-level measurement]

Saturated interval1

U.S. Geological Survey identification number and map identifier2 (fig. I–1 and table I–1)

342033103155801 

(23)

342036103220001

(28)

342121103142301 

(40)

342140103190501

 (47)

342505103151801

(116)

Initial 153.1

(February 1969)

62.5

(January 1967)

128.7

(February 1962)

100.9

(February 1954)

115.3

(March 1962)

Final 71.9

(March 2004)

39.5

(March 2004)

36.9

 (March 2004)

46.0

(January 1998)

74.4

(January 1998)

Overall decrease 

(percent) 53.0 36.8 71.3 54.4 35.5

1 Well depth and depth to water from land surface were used to calculate saturated interval. 

2

 Well 130 (342548103193601), which is shown in figure 4, did not have a recorded well depth to determine the saturated interval at the well location.

Table 5. Measurements and changes in water level for wells surrounding Cannon Air Force Base, 1954–2004.—Continued

[R2, statistical value that describes the proportion of variation in the data explained by the least-squares regression model—water level relative to time]

1 Periods of record and beginning and ending dates differ among wells, which can affect comparison of water-level changes.
Figure 4. Water level in wells with the longest periods of record in the area surrounding Cannon Air Force Base, 1954–2004.

from the previously used lagoons and the current disposal area 

(Playa Lake). For all wells with at least three data points and a 

minimum 3-year period of record, the decline in water levels 

near Landfill 5 and the Sewage Lagoons was strongly linear (R2

greater than 0.75) indicating a regional influence that is causing 

water levels to decline (table 8). 

A seasonal variation in water levels was observed in 

wells C, D, and S, which are adjacent to the southern boundary of Cannon AFB and near an irrigation well immediately 

south of the base boundary (fig. 2). No production wells for 

the base are located in this area. Water levels in C, D, and S 

indicated a pattern of water-level decline during the summer 

irrigation season followed by a partial water-level recovery 

during winter (fig. 5). This water-level pattern, however, was 

not readily apparent or was absent in wells A and Q, which are 

about 0.4 mi north-northwest of the irrigation well. The influence (cone of depression) of the irrigation well south of the 

base boundary does not appear to extend beyond the Landfill 

5 area.

Saturated Interval of Wells at Landfill 5 and the 

Sewage Lagoons

The saturated thickness of the Southern High Plains 

aquifer has decreased at Cannon AFB because of declining 

water levels (table 7). Wells near Landfill 5 and the Sewage Lagoons with periods of records from the beginning of 

USGS monitoring indicated decreases equal to or greater 

than 18 percent in the saturated interval (table 9). The largest declines in water level and largest decreases in saturated 

interval occurred near Landfill 5 (wells A and B). 

Aquifer Recharge

Soil- and ground-water chemistry data collected by the 

USGS in 2004 for a recharge study was used to determine 

possible recharge rates and to estimate the ground-water age 

of the Southern High Plains aquifer at Cannon AFB (Falk, 

2005). Chloride concentrations and moisture content of soil 

samples were analyzed to determine the water infiltration 

rate through the soil profile and the time required for chloride 

accumulation. Large chloride concentrations in soil water 

and long accumulation rates in interplaya areas indicated that 

diffuse recharge likely is not occurring at Cannon AFB, but 

small chloride concentrations in soil water below a stormwater 

detention area indicated that focused recharge is likely contributing to the aquifer (Falk, 2005). Additionally, concentrations of chlorofluorocarbons in ground water were measured 

to determine the apparent age of the water. The apparent ages, 

which are model ages uncorrected for physical and chemical 

processes that can affect chlorofluorocarbon concentrations 

(Plummer and Busenberg, 2000), ranged from 25 to 50 years 

old. The presence of chlorofluorocarbons in ground water 

indicates that the aquifer has been recharged since the 1940s, 

Ground-Water Hydrology 15

01/01/54 05/17/60 10/02/66 02/15/73 07/03/79 11/16/85 04/02/92 08/17/98 01/01/05

375

350

325

300

275

250

225

200

175

150

WATER LEVEL, IN FEET BELOW LAND SURFACE

Figure 4. Water level in wells with the longest periods of record in the Cannon Air Force Base area, 1954–2004.

342033103155801 (23)

342036103220001 (28)

342121103142301 (40)

342140103190501 (47)

342505103151801 (116)

342548103193601 (130)

Wells: USGS identification number

and table I-1 identifier
16  Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Table 8. Measurements and changes in water level for wells near Landfill 5 and the Sewage Lagoons at Cannon Air Force 

Base, 1994–2005.

[R2, statistical value that describes the proportion of variation in the data explained by the least-squares regression model—water level relative to 

time); NA, not applicable—data set has less than 3 years of record]

U.S. Geological Survey 

identification

number

Well

Identifier 

(fig. 2)

First

measurement

Last

measurement

Number of

measurements

Water-level

change

(feet

per year)

Water-level 

change during 

period of record1

(feet)

R2

342218103182601 A 02/21/94 01/10/05 16 –2.46 –27.06 1.00

342203103181001 B 02/21/94 01/10/05 35 –2.97 –32.64 0.98

342156103180801 C 04/06/98 01/10/05 14 –2.29 –16.06 0.82

342157103181701 D 03/02/99 01/10/05 13 –2.24 –13.46 0.93

342328103182401 E 09/13/94 01/10/05 20 –1.59 –17.44 0.98

342321103181001 F 09/12/94 01/10/05 20 –1.60 –17.65 0.96

342313103180801 G 09/13/94 01/10/05 19 –1.64 –18.02 0.98

342307103181601 H 09/13/93 01/10/05 20 –1.55 –18.65 0.98

342158103180601 I 02/21/94 02/28/00 15 –3.21 –19.28 0.98

342201103180901 L 02/21/94 08/19/97 10 –4.01 –12.03 0.99

342200103181001 M 02/21/94 08/06/98 11 –2.60 –10.40 0.96

342317103174701 N 06/27/95 01/10/05 8 –1.45 –14.45 0.95

342300103175001 Oa 02/29/04 01/10/05 5 NA –2.53 NA

342304103174401 O 06/27/95 02/27/96 2 NA –0.06 NA

342309103180601 P 07/15/95 06/25/96 6 NA –2.34 NA

342310103180801 Pa 02/27/04 01/10/05 5 NA –2.37 NA

342219103183101 Q 11/19/96 08/19/03 17 –2.69 –18.86 0.98

342323103180801 Ra 05/26/04 01/10/05 4 NA –0.55 NA

342157103181101 S 03/02/99 01/10/05 15 –2.43 –14.56 0.93

342200103180901 T 03/02/99 01/10/05 14 –2.37 –14.19 0.97

342205103181001 U 03/02/99 01/10/05 14 –2.28 –13.68 0.98

342418103201201 V 11/06/03 01/10/05 7 NA –0.44 NA

342348103175801 W 02/27/04 01/10/05 8 NA –3.84 NA

342222103194301 X 03/11/04 01/10/05 5 NA 0.14 NA

1 Periods of record beginning and ending dates differ among wells, which can affect comparison of water-level changes.

Table 9. Change in saturated interval for selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base.

U.S. Geological 

Survey 

identification

number

Well

identifier 

(fig. 2)

Initial water-level

measurement date

Final water-level

measurement date

Initial 

saturated 

interval1

(feet)

Final 

saturated 

interval 

(feet)

Overall 

decrease 

(feet)

Overall 

decrease 

(percent)

342218103182601 A 02/21/94 01/10/05 76.2 49.1 27.1 35.6

342203103181001 B 02/21/94 01/10/05 91.7 59.1 32.6 35.5

342328103182401 E 09/13/94 01/10/05 92.4 75.0 17.4 18.8

342321103181001 F 09/12/94 01/10/05 98.0 80.4 17.6 18.0

342313103180801 G 09/13/94 01/10/05 92.7 74.7 18.0 19.4

342307103181601 H 09/13/93 01/10/05 96.6 77.9 18.7 19.4

1 Well depth and depth to water from land surface were used to calculate saturated interval. 
but the water likely is a mixture of this young water and older 

water that did not contain chlorofluorocarbons (Falk, 2005). 

Ground-Water Quality

Water-quality sampling by the USGS at Cannon AFB has 

been dictated by RCRA and NPDES requirements. Samples 

collected at the wells were for analysis of specified compounds at each site as required by the State of New Mexico 

under RCRA and NPDES regulations. Because of this sampling scheme, water-quality data between well groups is not 

consistent (Sewage Lagoons compared with Landfill 5) and 

few data are available for interpretation of water composition. 

All USGS data are presented as total concentrations from 

raw (pretreatment) ground-water samples. All SDWA waterquality standards are applicable to posttreatment samples that 

meet the turbidity requirement of the SDWA. Drinking-water 

standards are applicable to samples with a turbidity equal to or 

less than 5 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) and typically 

have a turbidity of 1 NTU or less (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2005b). Turbidity values were not collected by the 

USGS at Cannon AFB. It is possible that the total concentrations at Cannon AFB included a concentration fraction that 

resulted from suspended material that would not have been 

present if samples were treated (such as filtering or settling). 

Comparison of concentrations from pretreatment and posttreatment samples can be misleading, and any total concentrations 

greater than the standards should be judged with caution.

Anthropogenic Compounds

Analyses for anthropogenic compounds, including 

organic halogens, volatile organic compounds, semivolatile 

organic compounds, dioxins, furans, polynuclear aromatic 

hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated 

biphenyls, and chlorinated herbicides, have been conducted 

for samples collected from Landfill 5 and the Sewage Lagoons 

wells since 1994. The maximum total concentrations of these 

compounds were small and less than USEPA drinking-water 

standards (table 10). Anthropogenic compounds that have been 

detected were pesticide or industrial compounds (table 10), 

and at least one anthropogenic compound was detected in each 

monitoring well. Private contractor sampling at wells N, O, 

Oa, P, Pa, R, and Ra did not detect anthropogenic compounds 

from 2001 to 2004 (Bhate Environmental Associates, Inc., 

2002a, 2002b, 2003a, 2003b, 2004, 2005). Base productionwell sampling in 2005 indicated the presence of a small number of pesticide or industrial compounds in wells 3, 4, 7, and 

12, at concentrations less than drinking-water standards (C.M. 

Bohler, U.S. Air Force, written commun., 2005).

The detection of anthropogenic compounds in ground 

water indicates the presence of modern water (recharged since 

1940s) in the Southern High Plains aquifer at Cannon AFB. 

The presence of these compounds does not indicate recharge 

at a well site, as the compounds may have traveled from an 

upgradient location. The number of compounds detected in 

ground water from well F likely indicates infiltration and 

02/01/94 12/02/95 10/02/97 08/02/99 06/02/01 04/02/03 01/31/05

3,955

3,960

3,965

3,970

3,975

3,980

3,985

3,990

3,995

4,000

GROUND-WATER ALTITUDE, IN FEET ABOVE NAVD 88

Well A

Well C

Well D

Well Q

Well S

Figure 5. Water-level seasonal fluctuations in selected monitoring wells at Cannon Air Force Base, 

 1994–2005.

Ground-Water Quality 17

Figure 5. Water-level seasonal fluctuations in selected monitoring wells at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2005.
Table 10. Maximum concentrations of anthropogenic compounds detected in ground-water samples collected by the U.S. Geological Survey Base, 1994–2004. [All concentrations are in micrograms per liter, and all results are total (unfiltered) concentrations; “Use” is the general use of the compound. Compounds may have multiple usepresented for differentiating between compounds. The “industrial” use indicates the compound is used for making other compounds or is an additive in other compounds. “---“ ition is too generic for a determination of general use] Well identifier (fig. 2) Landfill 5 wells Sewage Lagoons wells 

Compound (μg/L) Use A B C D I L M Q S T U E F G H N O1 P1 

1,1 Dichloroethene Industrial 0.22 2-Butanone Solvent 1.4 1.5 1.0 2-Hexanone Industrial 12 Acetone3 Solvent 0.81 37 1.4 1.5 Aldrin Pesticide 0.01 beta-BHC Pesticide 0.05 Benzyl alcohol Industrial bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate3 Industrial 9.7 Boroform Antiseptic 0.45 Carbon disulfide Industrial 3.7 Chloroform Industrial 0.65 Chloromethane Industrial 60 delta-BHC Pesticide 0.03 Dichlorodifluoro- methane Refrigerant 1.7 Endosulfan I Pesticide 0.01 Endosulfan sulfate Pesticide 0.02 Heptachlor Pesticide 0.02 Heptachlor epoxide Pesticide 0.02 Hexane3 Solvent 2.2 1.0 2.5Methylene chloride3 Solvent 0.25 1.1 1.5 0.45 1.1 0.59 0.31 0.36 2.7 0.43 0.38 5 Phenolics Industrial 0.03 0.02Tetrachloroethene Solvent 3.7 0.11 Toluene Gasoline 0.29 Organic halogens --- 12.9 17 32.3 35.6 6.8 16 8.3Trichloroethene Solvent 1.8 2.4 1.6 0.12 0.18 Trichlorofluoro-methane Refrigerant 0.57Xylenes Gasoline 36 36 13 

1 Includes samples from wells O and Oa and P and Pa.2 Standards: primary drinking-water standards as issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (U.S. Environmenta

 Standards are for posttreatment samples.

3 Common sampling/laboratory-associated compounds that have been detected in field-equipment- and method-blank samples on occasion. 
movement of treated wastewater from the Sewage Lagoons 

to the underlying aquifer. The presence of a diverse group of 

industrial- and agriculture-related compounds may indicate 

anthropogenic influences from on and off the base. Additionally, some of the contaminants are common sampling/laboratory-associated compounds such as acetone, bis(2-ethylhexyl) 

phthalate, hexane, and methylene chloride that may have been 

introduced to the sample during collection or analysis (small 

concentrations of these compounds have been found in fieldequipment- and method-blank samples on occasion).

Perchlorate

The anthropogenic use of perchlorate is as a propellant, 

but perchlorate has been detected in ground water in northwest 

Texas where no known anthropogenic source(s) exists (Jackson and others, 2003). Further investigation of perchlorate in 

northwestern Texas and eastern New Mexico has produced 

evidence indicating that perchlorate in this area likely is from 

a natural source and probably is atmospherically deposited 

(Rajagopalan and others, 2006). Atmospheric processes such 

as the interaction of chloride and ozone can produce perchlorate naturally (Dasgupta and others, 2005). With wet or dry 

deposition, perchlorate can accumulate in the soil and subsequently be transported to an aquifer in detectable concentrations. The increasing analytical capability to detect perchlorate 

at small concentrations has allowed the identification of its 

likely natural presence in parts of New Mexico (Plummer and 

others, 2006) and northwest Texas (Rajagopalan and others, 

2006). 

Perchlorate was detected in at least one sample from 

every well at Cannon AFB for which perchlorate was analyzed 

(table 11). The number of perchlorate detections was largest 

in June 2004 because of the use of a newer analytical method 

(SW846 8321A; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1986 

[revision]) with a lower method detection level than that of the 

previous method (EPA 314.0; U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, 1999). Using the newer analytical method, concentrations of perchlorate in ground water at Cannon AFB ranged 

from 0.21 to 5.6 μg/L. These concentrations are similar to 

perchlorate concentrations detected in eastern New Mexico 

and northwest Texas by Rajagopalan and others (2006) that 

were largely attributed to a natural, atmospheric source. The 

wide distribution of perchlorate at small concentrations at 

Cannon AFB also appears to indicate a natural, atmospheric 

source. The variation in perchlorate concentrations between 

ground-water samples from the various wells may be related to 

recharge and flow paths in the aquifer. 

Regulation of perchlorate (contaminant candidate) is 

being considered by the USEPA under the SDWA. The USEPA 

has not set a maximum contaminant level for perchlorate, but 

California has set a public health goal of 6 ppb for dissolved 

concentrations (Council on Water Quality, 2005). Other States 

have set advisory levels for drinking water, and the USEPA has 

established an official reference dose of 0.0007 mg/kg/day of 

perchlorate that translates to a drinking-water equivalent level of 

24.5 ppb (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2005a). Only 

perchlorate concentrations in samples from well T (estimated 

values because of chloride interference) were greater than 

California’s public health goal, and these results occurred when 

the previous, less accurate analytical method was used (table 

11). Perchlorate concentrations in samples from well T using 

the newer analytical method resulted in concentrations smaller 

than California’s public health goal (assuming equivalent units).

Trace Elements

Total trace-element concentrations in raw ground water 

at Cannon AFB generally were less than USEPA primary 

and secondary drinking-water standards (U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, 2005b). Maximum total concentrations of 

aluminum, iron, and manganese exceeded secondary drinking-water standards, and maximum chromium concentrations 

exceeded the primary drinking-water standard (fig. 6). It is 

possible that trace-element concentrations in raw (pretreatment 

and unfiltered) samples collected at Cannon AFB included a 

concentration fraction that resulted from suspended material. 

Comparison of concentrations from pretreatment and posttreatment samples can be misleading, and any total concentrations greater than the standards should be judged with caution.

At least one sample exceeded the aluminum secondary 

drinking-water standard of 50 μg/L for every well at Cannon 

AFB for which ground water was analyzed for aluminum (fig. 7). 

In ground water from wells B, D, F, H, I, L, M, and Q, at least 

one iron concentration exceeded the secondary drinking-water 

standard of 300 μg/L (fig. 8). Water-quality data from contractor 

sampling indicate that ground water from wells N, O, Oa, R, and 

Ra (Sewage Lagoons) also have exceeded the 300-μg/L secondary standard for iron (Parallax, Inc., 2000; Bhate Environmental 

Associates, Inc., 2002a, 2002b, 2004, and 2005). One manganese 

concentration exceeded the secondary drinking-water standard 

of 50 μg/L in ground water collected from wells H and Q (fig. 9). 

One sample from well Ra (not shown in fig. 9, contractor data 

not compiled with USGS data) sampled by a private contractor 

also exceeded the secondary drinking-water standard for manganese (Bhate Environmental Associates, Inc., 2002b). In ground 

water from wells L and M (Landfill 5), one chromium concentration exceeded the primary drinking-water standard of 100 μg/L 

(fig. 10). Ground water collected from production wells in 2002 

by a contractor contained small concentrations of arsenic, barium, 

chromium, nickel, and selenium that were smaller than drinkingwater standards (Earth Tech, Inc., 2005).

Nitrate and Organic Carbon

Results of total nitrate (nitrate plus nitrite or nitrate) 

analysis indicate that only ground water from wells G and 

P (Sewage Lagoons) exceeded the posttreatment USEPA 

(2005b) primary drinking-water standard of 10 mg/L (fig. 11). 

These larger concentrations were likely a result of infiltrated 

Ground-Water Quality 19
20 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Figure 6. Maximum recorded total trace-element concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004, and U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (2005b) drinking-water standards.

Table 11. Perchlorate concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base.

[MDL, method detection level; RL, reporting level; E, estimated; all concentrations in micrograms per liter and all results 

are total concentrations]

Well identifier (fig. 2) Mar 2001 Aug 2002 Mar 2003 Aug 2003 June 2004

MDL= 5, RL = 20 MDL= 0.2, RL =1 MDL = 0.0012, RL = 0.01

A 2.4

B 5.0 E 2.1 2.4 2.3

C 0.41

D 0.21

E 1.7 1.8

F 2.3 2.2

G 1.7 1.7

H 2.4 2.6

Q 5.8 E 2.2

S 4.6 E 2.4 2.9 2.7

T 19.9 E 6.5 E 2.3 2.7 2.3

U 2.3 2.4 2.3

V 5.6

W 0.63

X 1.1

Al Sb As Ba Be Cr Co Cu Fe Pb Mn Hg Mo Ni Se Ag Tl Sn V Zn

TRACE-ELEMENT SYMBOL

10

 -1

10 0

10 1

10 2

10 3

MAXIMUM RECORDED TOTAL CONCENTRATION, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

Figure 6. Maximum-recorded total trace-element concentrations in wells at Cannon Air Force Base,

 1994–2004, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standards.

10 4

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water standards

Maximum contaminant level (primary standard)

Secondary standard

Action level

NS No standard

NS

NS

NS

NS

NS
Figure 7. Aluminum concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

Figure 8. Iron concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

Ground-Water Quality 21

1 3 3 2 3 4 5 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 4 6 5 1 1 1

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q S T U V W X

WELL IDENTIFIER

10 2

10 3

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

2

ALUMINUM CONCENTRATION, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

Figure 7. Aluminum concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency secondary drinking-water standard

Detection count

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

75th percentile

50th (median)

25th percentile

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

Outlier

Outlier

No samples

2 5 7 6 8 7 8 11 3 5 4 0 0 1 6 6 5 5 1 1 1

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q S T U V W X

WELL IDENTIFIER

10 1

10 2

10 3

10 4

IRON CONCENTRATION, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

Figure 8. Iron concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

secondary drinking-water standard

Detection count

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

75th percentile

50th (median)

25th percentile

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

Outlier

Outlier

No samples
22 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Figure 10. Chromium concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

Figure 9. Manganese concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q S T U V W X

1 4 3 4 1 4 3 9 1 2 4 0 0 1 4 6 5 5 1 1 0

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

MANGANESE CONCENTRATION, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

Detection count

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

75th percentile

50th (median)

25th percentile

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

Outlier

Outlier

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

secondary drinking-water standard

WELL IDENTIFIER

Figure 9. Manganese concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

No samples

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q S T U V W X

1 6 7 6 10 7 7 9 5 3 5 0 0 0 6 6 6 6 1 1 1

WELL IDENTIFIER

10 0

10 1

10 2

10 3

CHROMIUM CONCENTRATION, IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

Figure 10. Chromium concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

maximum contaminant level drinking-water standard

Detection count

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

75th percentile

50th (median)

25th percentile

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

Outlier

Outlier

No samples
treated wastewater. Data for wells near the Sewage Lagoons 

(E-H) have a sufficient temporal scale to observe the influence 

and decline of nitrate concentrations due to infiltrated wastewater. From 1994 to 2004, nitrate concentrations in ground 

water near the Sewage Lagoons decreased before and after 

decommissioning (lagoons were decommissioned in 1998, but 

inflow was reduced and halted before this date) to concentrations in wells not affected by the lagoons (fig. 12). 

Concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC) were 

generally near or less than 1 mg/L in ground water at Cannon 

AFB (fig. 13). One detection of TOC in ground water from 

well F in 2004 was at a concentration of 9.5 mg/L. Ground 

water from well F did not previously contain a detectable 

concentration of TOC, and the reason for the large TOC concentration is unknown. Ground water collected in 2005 from 

production wells at the base either contained no detectable 

TOC or a concentration less than 1 mg/L (C.M. Bohler, U.S. 

Air Force, written commun., 2005).

Major Ions

Alkalinity or carbonate species concentrations have not 

been analyzed as part of USGS water-quality sampling at Cannon AFB, but a full set of major-ion concentrations for ground 

water at wells D, E, V, W, and X (fig. 2) was recorded as part of 

a recharge investigation conducted by the USGS at the base in 

2004 (Falk, 2005). Different water compositions were present 

in different parts of the base, and chloride concentrations varied 

substantially (fig. 14). Samples from wells E, V, and W were 

a calcium/magnesium-sulfate water type (per Back’s [1961] 

classification diagram), and samples from wells D and X were a 

calcium/magnesium-bicarbonate water type. 

Calcium and sulfate were analyzed for samples collected 

in June 2004 from most of the wells at Cannon AFB. Differences in the ratio of these ions in ground water (fig. 15) may 

be indicative of multiple source waters with different recharge 

areas or leakage of water from the Chinle Formation into the 

Ogallala Formation, although such differences could be from 

an anthropogenic source(s). Calcium and sulfate concentrations from June 2004 illustrate some linearity indicating the 

possible mixing of different source waters represented by 

ground water from wells V and X. Wells D, E, and W do not 

conform to this scenario, and calcium concentration varies 

substantially among the middle grouping of wells (fig. 15). 

Examination of major cation to sulfate ratios for the June 

2004 data provides further indication of multiple source waters 

or other influences on ground water in the Southern High 

Plains aquifer at Cannon AFB. Similar cation/sulfate ratios 

indicating similar source waters were present for samples from 

nearly all wells, except for samples from wells C, D, E, and 

X (fig. 16). Wells C, D, and X are located along the southern 

boundary of Cannon AFB, but wells A, S, T, and U are also 

located in this area and water from these wells did not contain 

the larger cation/sulfate ratios that are apparent for wells C, D, 

and X. Samples from wells A, S, T, and U did indicate variable 

concentrations of calcium and sulfate (fig. 15). A difference in 

Figure 11. Total nitrate, as nitrogen, concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

Ground-Water Quality 23

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q S T U V W X

1 1 1 1 12 11 11 12 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 1 1 1 1 1

WELL IDENTIFIER

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

NITRATE, AS NITROGEN, CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

Figure 11. Total nitrate, as nitrogen, concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminant level drinking-water standard

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

75th percentile

50th (median)

25th percentile

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

Outlier

Outlier

Detection count

No samples 0
24 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Figure 12. Total nitrate, as nitrogen, concentrations in ground water from wells near the Sewage Lagoons at Cannon Air 

Force Base, 1996–2004

01/01/96 01/26/97 02/22/98 03/21/99 04/16/00 05/13/01 06/09/02 07/06/03 08/01/04

Figure 12. Total nitrate, as nitrogen, concentrations in ground water from wells near

the Sewage Lagoons, 1996–2004.

0

5

10

15

20

NITRATE, AS NITROGEN, CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminant level drinking-water standard

Well E

Well F

Well G

Well H

Figure 13. Total organic carbon concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q S T U V

1 3 6 4 0 1 0 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 7 6 5 3 1

WELL IDENTIFIER

10 0

10 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

Figure 13. Total organic carbon concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

Detection count

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

75th percentile

50th (median)

25th percentile

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

Outlier

Outlier

No samples
Figure 14. Piper diagram of major-ion composition in ground water from selected wells at 

Cannon Air Force Base, July 2004.

Percent Calcium

1 0 0

8 0

6 0

4 0

2 0

0

 0

 20

 40

 60

 80

 100

0

2 0

4 0

6 0

8 0

1 0 0

W

V X

ED

Chloride

0

2 0

4 0

6 0

8 0

1 0 0

1 0 0

8 0

6 0

4 0

2 0

0 100

 80

 60

 40

 20

 0

W

V

X E

D

0

2 0

4 0

6 0

8 0

1 0 0

0

2 0

4 0

6 0

8 0

1 0 0

1 0 0

8 0

6 0

4 0

2 0

0 1 0 0

8 0

6 0

4 0

2 0

0

W

V

X

E

D

Figure 14. Piper diagram of major-ion composition in ground water from selected wells

 at Cannon Air Force Base, July 2004.

Magnesium

Sulfate plus chloride

Percent

Carbonate plus bicarbonate

Calcium plus magnesium

Sodium plus potassium

Sulfate

Percent

X Well identifier

EXPLANATION

Figure 15. Calcium and sulfate concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, June 2004.

20 30 40 50 60 70

CALCIUM CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

0

50

100

150

200

SULFATE CONCENTRATION, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

A

B

C

D

E

F

H G

S

T

U

W V

X

X Well identifier

Figure 15. Calcium and sulfate concentrations in ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, June 2004.

Ground-Water Quality 25
26  Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

ion ratios can suggest different rock/water interactions for the 

possible source waters.

Because the influence of Sewage Lagoons appears to 

have lessened by 2004 (fig. 12) and the largest concentrations 

of calcium and sulfate in 2004 were detected in wells upgradient from the Sewage Lagoons (background wells V and W), 

the Southern High Plains aquifer at Cannon AFB likely is a 

mixture of multiple source waters. Ground water of different 

ages and composition was evident from USGS sampling at 

Melrose Air Force Range for the Southern High Plains aquifer 

(Langman and others, 2004). Age dating of ground water at 

Cannon AFB by the USGS (Falk, 2005) produced a range of 

ages (25 to 50 years) and indicated mixing of source waters. 

It is possible that source waters from different formations or 

recharge areas are mixing in the Cannon AFB area, but the 

water-quality data set from USGS monitoring at Landfill 5 and 

the Sewage Lagoons is insufficient to support this conclusion. 

General Physical and Chemical Properties

The general physical and chemical properties (specific conductance, temperature, and pH) of ground water 

at Cannon AFB provide an overview of spatial and temporal differences in water quality. Specific conductance is a 

particularly useful parameter because it indicates the amount 

of dissolved ions in the water. The large range and large 

values of specific conductance in water from wells E, F, G, 

and P (fig. 17) likely were a result of infiltrating water from 

the Sewage Lagoons (fig. 2). Although well E is upgradient from the Sewage Lagoons, infiltrating water from the 

lagoons likely spread in all directions in the approximately 

300-ft-thick vadose zone and affected water quality in an 

area surrounding the lagoons. Human use of water typically 

increases the mineral content, which results in treated wastewater with larger specific conductance than the source water 

(Tchobanoglous, 1991). Additionally, evaporation of treated 

wastewater in the lagoons would further increase specific 

conductance of water that would infiltrate and mix with the 

underlying aquifer. 

The specific conductance of ground water in wells outside the influence of the Sewage Lagoons (wells I, L, M, Q, S, 

T, U, V, W, and X) also indicated differences in water quality 

and may indicate the mixing of source waters in the Southern 

High Plains aquifer at Cannon AFB (fig. 17). This spatial difference in specific conductance in the Southern High Plains 

aquifer was observed at Melrose Air Force Range (25 mi west 

of Cannon AFB) (fig. 1) and was attributed to upward flow of 

larger conductance water from the Chinle Formation into the 

Ogallala Formation (Langman and others, 2004). Identifying cross-formational flow at Cannon AFB is complicated by 

possible anthropogenic influences and (or) multiple recharge 

source waters and cannot be determined from the Landfill 5 

and Sewage Lagoons data sets.

Figure 16. Cation and sulfate ratios for ground water at Cannon Air Force Base, June 2004.

 	 
  
    - / 1 6 7 8

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ä°ä

ä°x

£°ä

£°x


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Figure 17. Ground-water specific conductance at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q S T U V W X

6 13 12 11 13 12 12 12 13 9 11 1 1 5 14 11 11 10 1 1 1

WELL IDENTIFIER

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE, IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER AT 25 DEGREES CELSIUS

Figure 17. Ground-water specific conductance at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

Sample count

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

75th percentile

50th (median)

25th percentile

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

Outlier

Outlier

Summary 27

The specific conductance in water from the wells near the 

Sewage Lagoons decreased from 1994 to 1998 because of the 

declining influence of infiltrating wastewater as the lagoons 

were decommissioned and finally closed in 1998 (fig. 18). 

Infiltrating wastewater from the lagoons appears to have 

substantially influenced the water quality in wells closest to 

the lagoons and in the direction of ground-water flow (northwest to southeast). Two years after the final closure of the 

lagoons, specific conductance in ground water from wells E, 

F, and H steadily began to increase. The source of this increase 

is unknown but may be related to the possibility of multiple 

source waters for the aquifer at Cannon AFB.

Ground water in wells near Landfill 5 indicates possible 

multiple source waters or anthropogenic influences (fig. 19). 

Specific conductance of ground water in wells along the southern boundary of the landfill (wells C and D) were smaller than 

values for ground water in wells along the eastern boundary 

(B, S, T, and U). Landfill 5 does not appear to be the source 

or only source causing this difference because the specific 

conductance of ground water in well A (background well for 

Landfill 5 sampling) was typically larger than values for wells 

C and D, although values for well A were typically smaller 

than values for wells B, S, T, and U (fig. 17). The increasing specific conductance in ground water near the Sewage 

Lagoons after decommissioning of the lagoons is not apparent 

with ground water near Landfill 5.

The majority of recorded ground-water temperatures at 

Cannon AFB were between 16 and 20oC (fig. 20). The largest 

ground-water temperatures were at wells I, L, and M, located 

in the southeastern corner of the base near Landfill 5. These 

wells were completed at shallower depths compared to most 

of the remaining wells (table 1), and these wells no longer 

contain water because of declining water levels. Ground water 

in these wells indicated seasonal fluctuations in temperature, 

which could be attributed to seasonal recharge. 

Ground-water pH at Cannon AFB was slightly alkaline; 

most values were larger than 7.0, and all median pH values 

were between 7.0 and 8.0 (fig. 21). The smallest median pH 

value was for ground water at well M, and the largest median 

value was for ground water at well U. Ground water from 

wells near Landfill 5 indicated the largest variations in pH.

Summary

In cooperation with the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Geological Survey has collected hydrologic data about the Southern 

High Plains aquifer at Cannon Air Force Base in east-central 

New Mexico since 1994. This report summarizes and interprets available hydrologic data collected by the USGS at Cannon AFB from 1994 to 2005. Under the direction of Cannon 

AFB, the USGS collected hydrologic data at regulated sites of 
28  Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Figure 18. Ground-water specific conductance near the Sewage Lagoons at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

Figure 19. Ground-water specific conductance near Landfill 5 at Cannon Air Force Base, 1999–2004.

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

600

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

1,300

1,400

1,500

 1,600

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE, IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER AT 25 DEGREES CELSIUS

Well E

Well F

Well G

Well H

Figure 18. Ground-water specific conductance near the Sewage Lagoons at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

500

600

700

800

900

C

D

B

S

T

U

Figure 19. Ground-water specific conductance near Landfill 5 at Cannon Air Force Base, 1999–2004.

SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE, IN MICROSIEMENS PER CENTIMETER AT 25 DEGREES CELSIUS

01/01/1999 02/12/2000 03/26/2001 05/08/2002 06/20/2003 08/01/2004
Figure 20. Ground-water temperatures at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

Figure 21. Ground-water pH at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

Summary 29

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q S T U V W X

6 14 12 11 13 11 12 12 13 9 11 1 1 5 14 11 11 11 1 1 1

12

15

18

21

24

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

75th percentile

50th (median)

25th percentile

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

Outlier

Outlier

Figure 20. Ground-water temperatures at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

Sample count

WELL IDENTIFIER

TEMPERATURE, IN DEGREES CELSIUS

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q S T U V W X

6 14 12 11 13 12 12 12 13 9 11 1 1 5 14 11 11 11 1 1 1

6.5

7.0

7.5

8.0

8.5

9.0

9.5

10. .0

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

75th percentile

50th (median)

25th percentile

1.5 times the interquartile

range or less

Outlier

Outlier

Figure 21. Ground-water pH at Cannon Air Force Base, 1994–2004.

Sample count

pH, IN STANDARD UNITS

WELL IDENTIFIER
30 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Landfill 5 and the Sewage Lagoons as required by the State of 

New Mexico. The interpretation of data collected at these sites 

provides a characterization of the Southern High Plains aquifer 

that Cannon AFB environmental managers can use for future 

planning efforts to protect the aquifer and ensure continued 

operation of all current (2006) activities. Data were compiled 

from all monitoring wells used from 1994 to 2005 for compliance with RCRA regulations applicable to the Landfill 5 site 

and the NPDES regulations applicable to the Sewage Lagoons 

site. Ground-water altitude data also were compiled from an 

additional 120 wells in a 3-mi radius of Cannon AFB to examine the hydrologic properties of the aquifer at Cannon AFB in 

relation to the regional aquifer properties.

Cannon AFB is located in the Southern High Plains 

physiographic region, and saturated deposits of the Ogallala 

Formation at Cannon AFB are within the western boundary 

of the Southern High Plains aquifer. The general direction of 

ground-water flow in the Cannon AFB area is from northwest 

to southeast. In 1962, ground water in the Southern High Plains 

aquifer predominantly flowed northwest to southeast with minimal change in direction. Ground-water altitudes declined from 

1962 to 1997, and a pronounced water-level recession (area 

of receding water level) developed northwest of Cannon AFB, 

altering flow direction in this area. The recession northwest of 

the base and the subsequent change in direction of ground-water 

flow are indicative of local ground-water withdrawals upgradient from Cannon AFB.

Ground-water levels have declined substantially throughout the Southern High Plains aquifer since the mid-1940s 

when ground water was first used for irrigated agriculture. 

Historical water levels in wells within a 3-mi radius of Cannon 

AFB declined in 52 of 56 wells for various periods of record 

between 1962 and 2004, 43 of 56 wells indicated strong linear 

decreases with time, and the largest decline was 91.80 ft, an 

average annual decline of about 2.13 ft per year. Water levels 

in wells at Cannon AFB reflected the regional decline; water 

levels declined for all wells with periods of record greater 

than 1 year, and the decline was strongly linear. Wells with the 

longest records of water-level measurements exhibited minor 

periods of recovery but a dominant decline in water levels during the past 50 years. These declining regional water-level data 

likely indicate ground-water withdrawals from the resource 

that exceeded recharge. 

From 1994 to 2005, rates of declining water levels at 

the base ranged from 1.45 to 1.64 ft per year near the Sewage 

Lagoons and from 2.24 to 4.01 ft per year near Landfill 5. The 

difference in rates of decline for ground water at the Sewage 

Lagoons and Landfill 5 was likely a result of local recharge 

to the aquifer near the Sewage Lagoons from infiltration of 

treated wastewater from the previously used lagoons and the 

current disposal area (Playa Lake). The largest variation in 

water levels at Cannon AFB was observed in wells C, D, and 

S, which are located near Landfill 5 along the southern boundary of the base and near an irrigation well immediately south 

of the base boundary. Water levels in C, D, and S indicated 

a pattern of summer water-level decline followed by partial 

winter water-level recovery, which was likely a result of 

drawdown and recovery during the irrigation and nonirrigation seasons. This water-level pattern, however, was scarcely 

apparent or was absent in wells A and Q, which are about 

0.4 mi north-northwest of the irrigation well. 

Ground-water sampling by the USGS from 1994 to 2004 

at monitoring wells associated with Landfill 5 and the Sewage 

Lagoons indicated temporal and spatial differences in water 

quality. At least one anthropogenic compound was detected 

in ground water from each monitoring well surrounding 

Landfill 5 and the Sewage Lagoons. All compounds detected 

were either pesticide or industrial compounds, and all concentrations were less than USEPA drinking-water standards. 

Perchlorate was detected in at least one sample from every 

well for which perchlorate was analyzed, but the source of perchlorate is likely natural and probably a result of atmospheric 

deposition. Trace-element concentrations in raw ground water 

at Cannon AFB were generally less than USEPA drinkingwater standards. Maximum concentrations of aluminum, iron, 

and manganese exceeded secondary drinking-water standards, 

and maximum chromium concentrations exceeded the primary 

drinking-water standard. Results of nitrate plus nitrite analysis 

indicate that only samples from wells G and P exceeded the 

drinking-water standard of 10 mg/L. 

Larger concentrations of nitrate in ground water at wells 

G and P were likely a result of infiltrated treated wastewater. From 1994 to 2004, during which the Sewage Lagoons 

were decommissioned, nitrate concentrations in wells near 

the Sewage Lagoons decreased to levels found in wells not 

affected by infiltrating wastewater. Concentrations of TOC 

were generally near or less than 1 mg/L in ground water at the 

base. One detection of TOC in ground water at well F in 2004 

was at a concentration of 9.5 mg/L. Ground water from well F 

previously did not contain a detectable concentration of TOC. 

The reason for such a large increase in TOC concentration in 

ground water from well F is unknown.

The spatial and temporal variation of major ions and 

specific conductance of ground water at Cannon AFB indicates various natural and (or) anthropogenic influences on 

ground water. Calcium and sulfate concentrations were widely 

variable in ground-water samples collected in 2004 from wells 

across the base. Similar cation/sulfate ratios were present for 

samples from nearly all wells, except for samples from certain 

wells along the southern boundary of the base and the background well for the Sewage Lagoon monitoring. Differences in 

major-ion concentrations and ratios and specific conductance 

across the base were likely the result of different source waters 

that form the Southern High Plains aquifer.

The decreasing specific conductance from 1994 to 1998 

in water from wells near the Sewage Lagoons is explained 

by the decreasing influence of infiltrating wastewater as the 

lagoons were decommissioned. Infiltrating wastewater from 
References Cited  31

the lagoons appears to have substantially influenced the water 

quality in wells closest to the lagoons and in the direction of 

ground-water flow (northwest to southeast). Two years after 

the decommissioning of the lagoons, specific conductance 

in ground water from wells E, F, and H began to increase 

steadily. The source of this increase is unknown but may be 

related to the possibility of multiple source waters for the 

Southern High Plains aquifer at Cannon AFB. The increasing specific conductance in ground water near the Sewage 

Lagoons after decommissioning of the lagoons was not apparent with ground water near Landfill 5.

References Cited

Back, William, 1961, Techniques for mapping of hydrochemical facies: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 

424–D, p. 380–382.

Bhate Environmental Associates, Inc., 2002a, Annual monitoring report, December 2001, ERP site nos. LF-03 (MW-O), 

LF-04 (MW-N), and LF-25 (MW-Ra), Cannon Air Force Base, 

Clovis, New Mexico: Prepared for Cannon Air Force Base, Air 

Combat Command, Clovis, New Mexico, variously paged.

Bhate Environmental Associates, Inc., 2002b, Final, Semiannual monitoring report, July 2001, ERP site no. LF-25 

(MW-Ra), Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, New Mexico: 

Prepared for Cannon Air Force Base, Air Combat Command, Clovis, New Mexico, variously paged.

Bhate Environmental Associates, Inc., 2003a, Final, Annual 

monitoring report, December 2002, ERP site nos. LF03, LF-04, LF-25, Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, New 

Mexico: Prepared for Cannon Air Force Base, Air Combat 

Command, Clovis, New Mexico, variously paged.

Bhate Environmental Associates, Inc., 2003b, Final, Semiannual monitoring report, June 2002, ERP site no. LF-25, 

Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, New Mexico: Prepared for 

Cannon Air Force Base, Air Combat Command, Clovis, 

New Mexico, variously paged.

Bhate Environmental Associates, Inc., 2004, Final, Semiannual monitoring report, June 2003, Landfill no. LF-25 

(MW-Ra), Cannon Air Force Base, Clovis, New Mexico: 

Prepared for Cannon Air Force Base, Air Combat Command, Clovis, New Mexico, variously paged.

Bhate Environmental Associates, Inc., 2005, Final, Annual 

monitoring report, December 2003, Landfill nos. LF-25 

(MW-Ra), LF-03 (MW-O), and LF-04 (MW-N), Cannon Air 

Force Base, Clovis, New Mexico: Prepared for Cannon Air 

Force Base, Air Combat Command, Clovis, New Mexico, 

variously paged.

Cannon Air Force Base, 2002, Management action plan, Air 

Combat Command, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, 

December 2002: Air Force project no. ACCH20027544, 266 p.

Council on Water Quality, 2005, Regulation of perchlorate: 

Web site accessed March 30, 2005, at URL http://www.

councilonwaterquality.org/issue/regulation.html.

Dasgupta, P.K., Martinelango, P.K., Jackson, W.A., Anderson, 

T.A., Tian, K., Tock, R.W., and Rajagopalan, S., 2005, The 

origin of naturally occurring perchlorate—The role of atmospheric processes: Environmental Science and Technology, 

v. 39, no. 6, 1569–1575.

Dick-Peddie, W., 1993, New Mexico vegetation—Past, present, and future: Albuquerque, University of New Mexico 

Press, 244 p.

Dutton, A.R., Mace, R.E., and Reedy, R.C., 2001, Quantification of spatially varying hydrogeologic properties for a 

predictive model of groundwater flow in the Ogallala aquifer, northern Texas panhandle, in Lucas, S.G., and UlmerScholle, D.S., eds., Geology of Llano Estacado: Socorro, 

New Mexico Geological Society, p. 297–307.

Dutton, A.R., and Simpkins, W.W., 1986, Hydrogeochemistry 

and water resources of the Triassic Lower Dockum Group 

in the Texas Panhandle and eastern New Mexico: Report 

of Investigations no. 161, Bureau of Economic Geology, 

University of Texas at Austin, 51 p.

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gov/twri9A6/.
34 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Supplemental Information

Figure I–1. Location of selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.

Table I–1. Information for selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding 

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Figure I–1. Location of selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.

Supplemental Information  35
36  Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Table I–1. Information for selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.

[NAD 83, North American Datum of 1983; NAVD 88, North American Vertical Datum of 1988; ft, feet; bls, below land surface; --, not available]

Map identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identification number Latitude (NAD 83) Longitude (NAD 83)

Land-surface 

altitude (ft above 

NAVD 88)

Well depth (ft bls)

1 341903103145601 34°19’03” 103°14’58” 4,196 342

2 341913103220001 34°19’13” 103°22’02” 4,180 --

3 341913103220002 34°19’13” 103°22’02” 4,180 --

4 341915103180501 34°19’15” 103°18’07” 4,197 --

5 341918103175001 34°19’18” 103°17’52” 4,213 --

6 341919103175001 34°19’19” 103°17’52” 4,213 --

7 341929103231601 34°19’29” 103°23’18” 4,176 --

8 341935103145601 34°19’35” 103°14’58” 4,196 --

9 341935103161901 34°19’35” 103°16’21” 4,223 --

10 341936103155801 34°19’36” 103°16’00” 4,221 --

11 341943103204001 34°19’43” 103°20’42” 4,196 --

12 341943103234701 34°19’43” 103°23’49” 4,202 --

13 341944103141001 34°19’44” 103°14’12” 4,159 300

14 341954103170101 34°19’54” 103°17’03” 4,214 331

15 341956103211101 34°19’56” 103°21’13” 4,206 199

16 342000103141801 34°20’00” 103°14’20” 4,186 --

17 342002103141801 34°20’02” 103°14’20” 4,189 --

18 342010103140801 34°20’10” 103°14’10” 4,187 368

19 342011103173301 34°20’11” 103°17’35” 4,230 --

20 342011103191701 34°20’11” 103°19’19” 4,221 244

21 342015103231501 34°20’15” 103°23’17” 4,237 --

22 342025103211601 34°20’25” 103°21’18” 4,226 --

23 342033103155801 34°20’33” 103°16’00” 4,235 370

24 342034103170101 34°20’34” 103°17’03” 4,242 --

25 342034103175101 34°20’34” 103°17’53” 4,244 --

26 342035103220201 34°20’35” 103°22’04” 4,235 --

27 342036103201301 34°20’36” 103°20’15” 4,239 250

28 342036103220001 34°20’36” 103°22’02” 4,236 235

29 342037103231201 34°20’37” 103°23’14” 4,263 --

30 342047103183501 34°20’47” 103°18’37” 4,238 293

31 342047103232001 34°20’47” 103°23’22” 4,269 --

32 342048103145801 34°20’48” 103°15’00” 4,231 402

33 342052103162901 34°20’52” 103°16’31” 4,239 --

34 342058103211401 34°20’58” 103°21’16” 4,248 270

35 342100103170101 34°21’00” 103°17’03” 4,252 390

36 342113103173401 34°21’13” 103°17’36” 4,254 388

37 342114103194801 34°21’14” 103°19’50” 4,250 --

38 342115103141501 34°21’15” 103°14’17” 4,223 360

39 342117103160701 34°21’17” 103°16’09” 4,255 --

40 342121103142301 34°21’21” 103°14’25” 4,233 337

41 342126103164501 34°21’26” 103°16’47” 4,256 397

42 342127103185501 34°21’27” 103°18’57” 4,263 320

43 342130103161501 34°21’30” 103°16’17” 4,255 415

44 342135103211401 34°21’35” 103°21’16” 4,289 --

45 342135103211402 34°21’35” 103°21’16” 4,289 282

46 342140103154401 34°21’40” 103°15’46” 4,255 390

47 342140103190501 34°21’41” 103°19’10” 4,262 315
Map identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identification number Latitude (NAD 83) Longitude (NAD 83)

Land-surface 

altitude (ft above 

NAVD 88)

Well depth (ft bls)

48 342142103221201 34°21’42” 103°22’14” 4,294 268

49 342145103232501 34°21’45” 103°23’27” 4,289 --

50 342147103201501 34°21’47” 103°20’17” 4,261 --

51 342153103181401 34°21’53” 103°18’16” 4,262 364

52 342155103171801 34°21’55” 103°17’20” 4,260 375

53 342156103180801 34°2156.67” 103°18’16.49” 4,264 360

54 342156103180802 34°21’56.24” 103°18’12.02” 4,261 303

55 342157103181101 34°21’57.00” 103°18’10.69” 4,261 365

56 342157103181701 34°21’57.13” 103°18’24.41” 4,262 355

57 342158103180601 34°21’58.94” 103°18’10.37” 4,262 291

58 342200103180901 34°22’00.07” 103°18’09.47” 4,261 365

59 342200103181001 34°21’59.94” 103°18’10.04” 4,261 287

60 342201103180901 34°22’00.98” 103°18’09.94” 4,261 285

61 342203103181001 34°22’02.67” 103°18’10.33” 4,262 362

62 342205103181001 34°22’04.81” 103°18’09.90” 4,262 365

63 342206103192501 34°22’06” 103°19’27” 4,266 318

64 342212103170401 34°22’12” 103°17’06” 4,261 355

65 342218103182601 34°22’18.91” 103°18’31.43” 4,264 340

66 342219103183101 34°22’18.98” 103°18’31.39” 4,264 294

67 342222103194301 34°22’22.16” 103°19’43.14” 4,265 340

68 342225103173401 34°22’25” 103°17’36” 4,269 365

69 342225103235501 34°22’25” 103°23’57” 4,308 --

70 342232103211801 34°22’32” 103°21’20” 4,294 289

71 342237103155101 34°22’37” 103°15’53” 4,244 323

72 342240103170201 34°22’40” 103°17’04” 4,260 323

73 342240103175001 34°22’40” 103°17’52” 4,274 365

74 342246103172101 34°22’46” 103°17’23” 4,262 340

75 342246103204201 34°22’46” 103°20’44” 4,297 --

76 342258103150501 34°22’58” 103°15’07” 4,258 338

77 342300103175001 34°23’00.33” 103°17’50.57” 4,270 370

78 342304103174401 34°23’00.24” 103°17’50.39” 4,269 304

79 342306103142101 34°23’06” 103°14’23” 4,267 350

80 342306103221801 34°23’06” 103°22’20” 4,314 --

81 342307103181601 34°23’07.71” 103°18’17.42” 4,276 372

82 342309103180601 34°23’10.42” 103°18’07.99” 4,271 295

83 342310103160901 34°23’10” 103°16’11” 4,276 332

84 342310103165901 34°23’10” 103°17’01” 4,276 335

85 342310103180801 34°23’10.49” 103°18’08.24” 4,271 370

86 342313103180801 34°23’12.85” 103°18’12.06” 4,276 368

87 342317103174701 34°23’18.11” 103°17’46.57” 4,266 297

88 342320103142501 34°23’20” 103°14’27” 4,267 --

89 342321103181001 34°23’21.29” 103°18’14.29” 4,275 355

90 342323103145601 34°23’23” 103°14’58” 4,279 --

91 342323103180801 34°23’23.50” 103°18’08.21” 4,272 --

92 342324103211401 34°23’24” 103°21’16” 4,317 415

93 342325103233601 34°23’25” 103°23’38” 4,334 328

Table I–1. Information for selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[NAD 83, North American Datum of 1983; NAVD 88, North American Vertical Datum of 1988; ft, feet; bls, below land surface; --, not available]

Supplemental Information  37
38  Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Map identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identification number Latitude (NAD 83) Longitude (NAD 83)

Land-surface 

altitude (ft above 

NAVD 88)

Well depth (ft bls)

94 342328103182401 34°23’26.51” 103°18’26.21” 4,280 366

95 342338103203701 34°23’38” 103°20’39” 4,329 365

96 342338103210701 34°23’38” 103°21’09” 4,337 --

97 342344103224901 34°23’44” 103°22’51” 4,330 360

98 342348103175801 34°23’48.64” 103°17’57.62” 4,297 381

99 342353103214601 34°23’53” 103°21’48” 4,341 370

100 342358103151601 34°23’58” 103°15’18” 4,309 430

101 342401103155901 34°24’01” 103°16’01” 4,314 394

102 342404103210401 34°24’04” 103°21’06” 4,353 386

103 342405103170301 34°24’05” 103°17’05” 4,305 334

104 342405103235001 34°24’05” 103°23’52” 4,357 278

105 342406103183401 34°24’06” 103°18’36” 4,325 --

106 342418103180601 34°24’18” 103°18’08” 4,315 350

107 342418103201201 34°24’18.00” 103°20’12.59” 4,325 370

108 342419103232301 34°24’19” 103°23’25” 4,362 372

109 342424103220901 34°24’24” 103°22’11” 4,363 356

110 342435103223501 34°24’35” 103°22’37” 4,364 --

111 342442103213601 34°24’42” 103°21’38” 4,365 --

112 342453103141901 34°24’53” 103°14’21” 4,319 415

113 342455103183301 34°24’55” 103°18’35” 4,344 375

114 342456103195201 34°24’56” 103°19’54” 4,354 418

115 342457103213901 34°24’57” 103°21’41” 4,365 430

116 342505103151801 34°24’53” 103°15’24” 4,336 419

117 342506103164701 34°25’06” 103°16’49” 4,345 405

118 342506103174201 34°25’06” 103°17’44” 4,349 400

119 342509103203801 34°25’09” 103°20’40” 4,369 432

120 342519103230101 34°25’19” 103°23’03” 4,394 392

121 342520103165601 34°25’20” 103°16’58” 4,356 400

122 342521103221801 34°25’21” 103°22’20” 4,381 441

123 342522103203801 34°25’22” 103°20’40” 4,373 375

124 342523103225301 34°25’23” 103°22’55” 4,391 432

125 342532103180501 34°25’32” 103°18’07” 4,362 421

126 342533103145601 34°25’33” 103°14’58” 4,335 412

127 342535103190201 34°25’35” 103°19’04” 4,360 --

128 342535103211501 34°25’35” 103°21’17” 4,391 --

129 342547103190201 34°26’01” 103°19’10” 4,375 385

130 342548103193601 34°25’48” 103°19’38” 4,384 --

131 342551103232201 34°25’51” 103°23’24” 4,400 --

132 342559103155601 34°25’59” 103°15’58” 4,357 --

133 342559103165301 34°25’59” 103°16’55” 4,366 --

134 342559103183401 34°25’59” 103°18’36” 4,370 388

135 342600103232001 34°26’00” 103°23’22” 4,409 446

136 342609103172701 34°26’09” 103°17’29” 4,381 412

137 342615103220701 34°26’15” 103°22’09” 4,424 406

138 342626103195301 34°26’26” 103°19’55” 4,394 387

139 342626103204101 34°26’26” 103°20’43” 4,407 402

Table I–1. Information for selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[NAD 83, North American Datum of 1983; NAVD 88, North American Vertical Datum of 1988; ft, feet; bls, below land surface; --, not available]
Map identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identification number Latitude (NAD 83) Longitude (NAD 83)

Land-surface 

altitude (ft above 

NAVD 88)

Well depth (ft bls)

140 342630103145201 34°26’11” 103°14’51” 4,347 387

141 342630103231901 34°26’30” 103°23’21” 4,422 433

142 342633103155301 34°26’33” 103°15’55” 4,369 396

143 342638103162401 34°26’38” 103°16’26” 4,378 395

144 342653103195201 34°26’53” 103°19’54” 4,406 415

145 342655103151401 34°26’55” 103°15’16” 4,364 --

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]

Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

1 341903103145601 01N.35E.11.33333 I 01/09/80 4,196 203.75 3,992

01/12/81 4,196 207.55 3,988

01/11/82 4,196 210.31 3,986

01/10/83 4,196 213.70 3,982

01/07/87 4,196 221.84 3,974

2 341913103220001 01N.34E.10.31244 S 01/17/62 4,180 121.91 4,058

02/02/67 4,180 120.97 4,059

3 341913103220002 01N.34E.10.31244A S 01/21/77 4,180 133.37 4,047

03/10/82 4,180 138.44 4,042

4 341915103180501 01N.35E.07.42224 S 01/13/61 4,197 157.03 4,040

01/17/62 4,197 157.66 4,039

01/28/67 4,197 161.45 4,036

5 341918103175001 01N.35E.08.13444 U 01/13/61 4,213 175.70 4,037

01/17/62 4,213 180.14 4,033

01/28/67 4,213 181.22 4,032

6 341919103175001 01N.35E.08.13442 I 01/18/77 4,213 198.33 4,015

03/09/82 4,213 206.88 4,006

01/08/87 4,213 213.86 3,999

02/20/97 4,213 229.89 3,983

7 341929103231601 01N.34E.08.42222 I 03/30/82 4,176 111.37 4,065

02/06/87 4,176 113.39 4,063

8 341935103145601 01N.35E.11.1331 U 01/19/84 4,196 223.04 3,973

01/13/85 4,196 224.42 3,972

01/13/86 4,196 226.14 3,970

01/13/87 4,196 228.43 3,968

01/13/88 4,196 230.35 3,966

01/04/90 4,196 235.23 3,961

01/05/91 4,196 239.02 3,957

Table I–1. Information for selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[NAD 83, North American Datum of 1983; NAVD 88, North American Vertical Datum of 1988; ft, feet; bls, below land surface; --, not available]

Supplemental Information  39
40 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

01/04/92 4,196 242.00 3,954

01/05/93 4,196 256.54 3,939

01/05/94 4,196 265.10 3,931

01/08/95 4,196 255.45 3,941

01/11/96 4,196 261.19 3,935

01/24/97 4,196 265.26 3,931

01/07/98 4,196 269.05 3,927

9 341935103161901 01N.35E.09.21412 I 01/25/67 4,223 204.93 4,018

10 341936103155801 01N.35E.10.113111 I 03/13/72 4,221 208.99 4,012

01/07/77 4,221 219.73 4,001

03/09/82 4,221 233.52 3,987

01/07/87 4,221 243.09 3,978

02/19/97 4,221 273.56 3,947

11 341943103204001 01N.34E.11.21113 --- 01/17/62 4,196 138.20 4,058

12 341943103234701 01N.34E.08.211143 S 01/12/61 4,202 131.53 4,070

01/17/62 4,202 129.68 4,072

13 341944103141001 01N.35E.11.232 I 01/08/94 4,159 218.42 3,941

01/08/95 4,159 224.87 3,934

01/24/97 4,159 235.58 3,923

14 341954103170101 01N.35E.09.11111 U 03/16/82 4,214 214.50 4,000

01/07/87 4,214 223.50 3,991

15 341956103211101 01N.34E.03.40000 I 03/26/87 4,206 166.01 4,040

16 342000103141801 01N.35E.02.433 I --- 4,186 --- ---

17 342002103141801 01N.35E.02.43144 I 03/16/82 4,189 211.72 3,977

03/03/87 4,189 221.16 3,968

18 342010103140801 01N.35E.02.42333 I 12/10/92 4,187 234.00 3,953

19 342011103173301 01N.35E.05.23331 S 02/27/62 4,230 193.44 4,037

01/28/67 4,230 202.28 4,028

20 342011103191701 01N.34E.01.24344 I 01/19/77 4,221 193.75 4,027

03/30/82 4,221 198.30 4,023

01/08/87 4,221 202.45 4,019

01/04/91 4,221 217.72 4,003

01/03/92 4,221 218.51 4,002

01/05/93 4,221 219.20 4,002

01/05/94 4,221 220.28 4,001

01/04/95 4,221 221.85 3,999

01/23/97 4,221 223.61 3,997

21 342015103231501 01N.34E.04.133322 S 01/21/77 4,237 169.56 4,067

03/30/82 4,237 172.76 4,064

02/06/87 4,237 175.52 4,061

22 342025103211601 01N.34E.03.22443 S 01/12/60 4,226 130.84 4,095

01/12/61 4,226 140.67 4,085

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]
Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

01/16/62 4,226 168.68 4,057

01/26/67 4,226 168.76 4,057

01/18/72 4,226 179.28 4,047

23 342033103155801 01N.35E.03.11111 I 02/26/69 4,235 216.89 4,018

01/06/70 4,235 218.75 4,016

01/05/71 4,235 221.84 4,013

01/05/72 4,235 223.37 4,012

01/04/73 4,235 225.23 4,010

01/04/74 4,235 226.24 4,009

01/04/75 4,235 229.87 4,005

01/06/76 4,235 231.50 4,004

01/06/77 4,235 234.62 4,000

01/05/78 4,235 240.51 3,994

01/05/79 4,235 239.57 3,995

01/09/80 4,235 240.93 3,994

01/10/81 4,235 245.78 3,989

01/11/82 4,235 247.09 3,988

01/10/83 4,235 248.56 3,986

01/16/84 4,235 249.65 3,985

01/13/85 4,235 247.86 3,987

01/13/87 4,235 255.25 3,980

01/12/88 4,235 255.75 3,979

01/04/90 4,235 260.95 3,974

01/05/91 4,235 263.97 3,971

01/07/92 4,235 270.41 3,965

01/08/93 4,235 268.84 3,966

01/08/95 4,235 276.62 3,958

01/11/96 4,235 280.29 3,955

01/24/97 4,235 284.02 3,951

01/06/98 4,235 287.51 3,947

02/20/03 4,235 312.05 3,923

03/06/04 4,235 298.14 3,937

24 342034103170101 01N.35E.04.11111 I 02/26/63 4,242 207.37 4,035

01/10/64 4,242 208.55 4,033

01/25/67 4,242 218.15 4,024

03/13/72 4,242 228.85 4,013

01/18/77 4,242 240.79 4,001

03/09/82 4,242 249.36 3,993

03/12/87 4,242 258.14 3,984

25 342034103175101 01N.35E.05.11222 I 01/26/77 4,244 237.22 4,007

03/09/82 4,244 245.54 3,998

01/08/87 4,244 253.40 3,991

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]

Supplemental Information 41
42 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

02/07/97 4,244 283.97 3,960

03/06/04 4,244 302.36 3,942

26 342035103220201 01N.34E.03.11224 S 01/17/62 4,235 173.56 4,061

01/26/67 4,235 172.47 4,063

27 342036103201301 01N.34E.02.222221 I 12/16/71 4,239 197.76 4,041

01/19/77 4,239 202.38 4,037

03/30/82 4,239 206.82 4,032

03/11/87 4,239 209.62 4,029

28 342036103220001 01N.34E.03.12111 I 01/10/67 4,236 172.47 4,064

02/01/68 4,236 175.10 4,061

01/07/69 4,236 176.77 4,059

01/06/70 4,236 179.39 4,057

01/05/71 4,236 183.42 4,053

12/16/71 4,236 182.08 4,054

01/05/72 4,236 188.24 4,048

01/04/73 4,236 181.26 4,055

01/03/74 4,236 186.72 4,049

01/03/75 4,236 184.78 4,051

01/06/76 4,236 187.37 4,049

01/05/77 4,236 185.49 4,051

01/05/78 4,236 189.62 4,046

01/05/79 4,236 187.66 4,048

01/07/80 4,236 190.34 4,046

01/10/81 4,236 189.65 4,046

01/11/82 4,236 188.97 4,047

01/10/83 4,236 190.33 4,046

01/18/84 4,236 191.20 4,045

01/13/85 4,236 190.40 4,046

01/09/87 4,236 191.00 4,045

01/12/87 4,236 191.00 4,045

01/03/90 4,236 190.83 4,045

01/04/91 4,236 191.27 4,045

01/02/92 4,236 191.08 4,045

01/05/93 4,236 191.00 4,045

01/05/94 4,236 190.99 4,045

01/04/95 4,236 191.97 4,044

01/11/96 4,236 191.98 4,044

01/24/97 4,236 192.23 4,044

02/02/98 4,236 192.14 4,044

02/20/03 4,236 205.98 4,030

03/06/04 4,236 195.53 4,040

29 342037103231201 01N.34E.04.11122 U 01/26/67 4,263 190.80 4,072

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]
Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

03/27/72 4,263 193.55 4,069

30 342047103183501 01N.35E.06.12222 I 03/16/82 4,238 228.49 4,010

01/08/87 4,238 233.62 4,004

31 342047103232001 02N.34E.32.44242 S 01/12/61 4,269 191.00 4,078

01/17/62 4,269 199.46 4,070

01/12/72 4,269 198.79 4,070

01/05/77 4,269 202.17 4,067

32 342048103145801 02N.35E.34.40000 I 01/28/82 4,231 253.99 3,977

01/15/87 4,231 262.29 3,969

33 342052103162901 01N.35E.04.211 I --- 4,239 --- ---

34 342058103211401 02N.34E.35.33131 I 02/11/82 4,248 206.16 4,042

02/05/87 4,248 207.72 4,040

35 342100103170101 02N.35E.33.31111 I 01/07/77 4,252 249.75 4,002

36 342113103173401 02N.35E.32.411113 I 07/08/75 4,254 252.55 4,001

02/16/82 4,254 262.76 3,991

01/15/87 4,254 268.88 3,985

37 342114103194801 02N.34E.36.32211 I 02/17/82 4,250 228.39 4,022

02/05/87 4,250 230.90 4,019

38 342115103141501 02N.35E.35.234334 I 03/16/93 4,223 260.00 3,963

39 342117103160701 02N.35E.33.22324 Z 02/27/62 4,255 226.05 4,029

01/16/67 4,255 246.90 4,008

01/07/77 4,255 259.00 3,996

40 342121103142301 02N.35E.35.21131 I 02/27/62 4,233 208.28 4,025

01/17/67 4,233 251.26 3,982

01/07/69 4,233 223.75 4,009

01/06/70 4,233 225.83 4,007

01/05/71 4,233 231.41 4,002

01/05/72 4,233 234.02 3,999

01/04/73 4,233 235.68 3,997

01/04/74 4,233 234.88 3,998

01/04/75 4,233 237.92 3,995

01/06/76 4,233 238.99 3,994

01/06/77 4,233 242.06 3,991

01/05/78 4,233 244.81 3,988

01/05/79 4,233 247.34 3,986

01/07/80 4,233 252.09 3,981

01/11/82 4,233 257.05 3,976

01/10/83 4,233 259.30 3,974

01/19/84 4,233 261.94 3,971

01/14/85 4,233 263.37 3,970

01/12/87 4,233 263.37 3,970

01/13/88 4,233 263.40 3,970

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]

Supplemental Information 43
44 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

01/04/90 4,233 276.42 3,957

01/05/91 4,233 268.91 3,964

01/05/93 4,233 274.08 3,959

01/05/94 4,233 275.58 3,957

01/04/95 4,233 278.65 3,954

01/11/96 4,233 283.90 3,949

01/14/97 4,233 288.21 3,945

01/07/98 4,233 290.55 3,942

03/05/04 4,233 300.08 3,933

41 342126103164501 02N.35E.33.12111 I 01/05/75 4,256 253.72 4,002

01/06/76 4,256 254.55 4,001

01/06/77 4,256 257.59 3,998

01/05/78 4,256 260.82 3,995

01/05/79 4,256 260.46 3,996

01/07/80 4,256 261.77 3,994

01/10/81 4,256 266.45 3,990

01/11/82 4,256 267.30 3,989

01/10/83 4,256 268.47 3,988

01/18/84 4,256 268.73 3,987

01/13/85 4,256 269.39 3,987

01/13/86 4,256 271.63 3,984

01/12/87 4,256 272.32 3,984

01/12/88 4,256 272.95 3,983

01/04/90 4,256 276.14 3,980

01/05/91 4,256 276.63 3,979

01/02/92 4,256 278.72 3,977

01/05/93 4,256 281.52 3,974

01/05/94 4,256 284.70 3,971

01/04/95 4,256 289.31 3,967

01/11/96 4,256 293.17 3,963

01/14/97 4,256 296.21 3,960

01/06/98 4,256 299.50 3,957

42 342127103185501 02N.35E.31.11221 I 01/16/67 4,263 234.80 4,028

01/11/72 4,263 242.02 4,021

01/11/77 4,263 249.59 4,013

02/09/82 4,263 258.32 4,005

43 342130103161501 02N.35E.33.22313 I 02/10/82 4,255 268.45 3,987

44 342135103211401 02N.34E.27.44422 W 02/06/67 4,289 227.97 4,061

01/11/72 4,289 231.39 4,058

45 342135103211402 02N.34E.27.444224 W 01/05/77 4,289 233.95 4,055

02/12/82 4,289 240.83 4,048

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]
Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

03/06/85 4,289 242.90 4,046

02/06/87 4,289 244.19 4,045

46 342140103154401 02N.35E.27.34333 I 01/28/82 4,255 271.15 3,984

01/15/87 4,255 276.84 3,978

47 342140103190501 02N.34E.36.222221 I 02/10/54 4,262 214.14 4,048

01/05/56 4,262 217.47 4,045

01/11/57 4,262 218.14 4,044

01/13/58 4,262 217.13 4,045

01/12/59 4,262 216.84 4,045

01/15/60 4,262 216.70 4,045

03/06/62 4,262 216.16 4,046

01/22/63 4,262 218.34 4,044

01/10/64 4,262 219.94 4,042

02/17/65 4,262 227.71 4,034

01/05/67 4,262 227.15 4,035

01/23/67 4,262 227.02 4,035

01/11/68 4,262 231.04 4,031

01/07/69 4,262 233.26 4,029

01/06/70 4,262 234.62 4,027

01/05/72 4,262 239.06 4,023

01/04/73 4,262 239.14 4,023

01/03/74 4,262 245.73 4,016

01/04/75 4,262 243.22 4,019

01/06/76 4,262 247.96 4,014

01/06/77 4,262 246.23 4,016

01/05/78 4,262 250.07 4,012

01/05/79 4,262 249.31 4,013

01/07/80 4,262 252.78 4,009

01/11/82 4,262 255.76 4,006

01/10/83 4,262 256.52 4,005

01/18/84 4,262 259.66 4,002

01/13/85 4,262 256.96 4,005

01/13/86 4,262 260.20 4,002

01/12/87 4,262 258.94 4,003

01/12/88 4,262 255.07 4,007

01/03/90 4,262 258.12 4,004

01/04/91 4,262 258.41 4,004

01/02/92 4,262 256.75 4,005

01/05/93 4,262 257.95 4,004

01/05/94 4,262 259.47 4,003

01/04/95 4,262 262.80 3,999

01/17/97 4,262 266.11 3,996

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded].

Supplemental Information 45
46  Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

01/06/98 4,262 268.99 3,993

03/04/04 4,262 276.02 3,986

48 342142103221201 02N.34E.27.333432 I 02/17/82 4,294 239.82 4,054

02/05/87 4,294 242.24 4,052

03/13/92 4,294 242.84 4,051

03/06/97 4,294 242.59 4,051

03/14/02 4,294 239.39 4,055

49 342145103232501 02N.34E.29.42430 U 03/08/62 4,289 219.09 4,070

01/26/67 4,289 213.68 4,075

01/12/72 4,289 217.15 4,072

01/05/77 4,289 219.90 4,069

50 342147103201501 02N.34E.26.44421 W 02/17/82 4,261 229.07 4,032

02/10/87 4,261 233.98 4,027

51 342153103181401 02N.35E.30.42344 I 02/10/82 4,262 259.91 4,002

01/15/87 4,262 264.13 3,998

52 342155103171801 02N.35E.29.44111 I 02/12/94 4,260 250.00 4,010

53 342156103180801 02N.35E.30.4244 O 04/06/98 4,263.72 289.19 3,974.53

(Monitoring well C) 03/02/99 4,263.72 293.85 3,969.87

08/29/99 4,263.72 295.35 3,968.37

03/01/00 4,263.72 292.13 3,971.59

08/10/00 4,263.72 299.64 3,964.08

03/23/01 4,263.72 296.07 3,967.65

08/22/01 4,263.72 300.93 3,962.79

03/13/02 4,263.72 296.42 3,967.30

08/13/02 4,263.72 305.61 3,958.11

03/20/03 4,263.72 302.11 3,961.61

08/20/03 4,263.72 307.36 3,956.36

06/15/04 4,263.72 308.30 3,955.42

10/21/04 4,263.72 306.04 3,957.68

01/10/05 4,263.72 305.25 3,958.47

54 342156103180802 02N.35E.30.424A O --- 4,261.11 --- ---

(Monitoring well J)

55 342157103181101 02N.35E.30.424E O 03/02/99 4,260.72 289.12 3,971.60

(Monitoring well S) 08/29/99 4,260.72 290.92 3,969.80

02/29/00 4,260.72 289.71 3,971.01

08/10/00 4,260.72 294.23 3,966.49

03/29/01 4,260.72 293.80 3,966.92

08/21/01 4,260.72 295.66 3,965.06

03/13/02 4,260.72 294.37 3,966.35

08/15/02 4,260.72 299.69 3,961.03

03/19/03 4,260.72 297.13 3,963.59

08/19/03 4,260.72 301.98 3,958.74

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]
Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

02/27/04 4,260.72 299.83 3,960.89

06/14/04 4,260.72 303.62 3,957.10

08/12/04 4,260.72 304.24 3,956.48

10/21/04 4,260.72 304.42 3,956.30

01/10/05 4,260.72 303.68 3,957.04

56 342157103181701 02N.35E.30.423 O 03/02/99 4,261.94 287.22 3,974.72

(Monitoring well D) 08/29/99 4,261.94 289.08 3,972.86

03/01/00 4,261.94 288.23 3,973.71

08/10/00 4,261.94 292.44 3,969.50

03/21/01 4,261.94 291.73 3,970.21

08/22/01 4,261.94 293.99 3,967.95

03/12/02 4,261.94 292.44 3,969.50

08/13/02 4,261.94 298.24 3,963.70

03/20/03 4,261.94 297.14 3,964.80

08/20/03 4,261.94 300.05 3,961.89

06/16/04 4,261.94 301.38 3,960.56

10/21/04 4,261.94 301.53 3,960.41

01/10/05 4,261.94 300.68 3,961.26

57 342158103180601 02N.35E.30.4242D O 02/21/94 4,261.57 270.95 3,990.62

(Monitoring well I) 08/09/94 4,261.57 273.32 3,988.25

02/23/95 4,261.57 275.17 3,986.40

08/22/95 4,261.57 276.42 3,985.15

02/29/96 4,261.57 278.18 3,983.39

08/19/96 4,261.57 280.59 3,980.98

12/17/96 4,261.57 280.51 3,981.06

03/05/97 4,261.57 281.41 3,980.16

05/28/97 4,261.57 281.65 3,979.92

08/18/97 4,261.57 283.13 3,978.44

04/06/98 4,261.57 284.81 3,976.76

08/12/98 4,261.57 288.20 3,973.37

03/02/99 4,261.57 289.17 3,972.40

08/29/99 4,261.57 291.01 3,970.56

02/28/00 4,261.57 290.23 3,971.34

58 342200103180901 02N.35E.30.424F O 03/02/99 4,260.82 288.70 3,972.12

(Monitoring well T) 08/29/99 4,260.82 289.84 3,970.98

02/29/00 4,260.82 289.29 3,971.53

08/10/00 4,260.82 292.90 3,967.92

03/20/01 4,260.82 292.93 3,967.89

08/21/01 4,260.82 294.47 3,966.35

03/13/02 4,260.82 293.84 3,966.98

08/15/02 4,260.82 297.99 3,962.83

03/19/03 4,260.82 297.40 3,963.42

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]

Supplemental Information 47
48  Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

08/19/03 4,260.82 300.51 3,960.31

06/15/04 4,260.82 302.41 3,958.41

08/12/04 4,260.82 302.99 3,957.83

10/21/04 4,260.82 303.50 3,957.32

01/10/05 4,260.82 302.89 3,957.93

59 342200103181001 02N.35E.30.4242C O 02/21/94 4,261.28 272.67 3,988.61

(Monitoring well M) 08/09/94 4,261.28 272.97 3,988.31

02/23/95 4,261.28 274.72 3,986.56

08/22/95 4,261.28 276.79 3,984.49

02/29/96 4,261.28 277.85 3,983.43

08/19/96 4,261.28 280.37 3,980.91

12/17/96 4,261.28 280.67 3,980.61

03/04/97 4,261.28 280.69 3,980.59

05/27/97 4,261.28 281.29 3,979.99

08/19/97 4,261.28 282.71 3,978.57

08/06/98 4,261.28 283.07 3,978.21

60 342201103180901 02N.35E.30.4242B O 02/21/94 4,261.38 271.05 3,990.33

(Monitoring well L) 08/09/94 4,261.38 273.42 3,987.96

02/23/95 4,261.38 275.23 3,986.15

08/22/95 4,261.38 276.47 3,984.91

02/28/96 4,261.38 278.23 3,983.15

08/19/96 4,261.38 280.46 3,980.92

12/16/96 4,261.38 280.50 3,980.88

03/05/97 4,261.38 281.37 3,980.01

05/28/97 4,261.38 281.64 3,979.74

08/19/97 4,261.38 283.08 3,978.30

61 342203103181001 02N.35E.30.4242A O 02/21/94 4,262.10 270.29 3,991.81

(Monitoring well B) 02/22/95 4,262.10 274.06 3,988.04

08/23/95 4,262.10 275.25 3,986.85

03/04/97 4,262.10 281.32 3,980.78

05/29/97 4,262.10 281.54 3,980.56

07/23/97 4,262.10 282.59 3,979.51

08/21/97 4,262.10 283.13 3,978.97

10/29/97 4,262.10 284.55 3,977.55

01/05/98 4,262.10 283.95 3,978.15

04/06/98 4,262.10 284.85 3,977.25

08/12/98 4,262.10 288.03 3,974.07

12/07/98 4,262.10 289.14 3,972.96

03/01/99 4,262.10 288.45 3,973.65

03/03/99 4,262.10 285.65 3,976.45

08/29/99 4,262.10 289.30 3,972.80

09/22/99 4,262.10 290.56 3,971.54

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]
Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

03/01/00 4,262.10 290.25 3,971.85

08/09/00 4,262.10 293.18 3,968.92

09/22/00 4,262.10 293.40 3,968.70

01/31/01 4,262.10 291.87 3,970.23

03/21/01 4,262.10 293.31 3,968.79

07/17/01 4,262.10 294.62 3,967.48

08/21/01 4,262.10 292.33 3,969.77

03/13/02 4,262.10 294.35 3,967.75

08/15/02 4,262.10 298.10 3,964.00

03/18/03 4,262.10 297.95 3,964.15

08/20/03 4,262.10 300.65 3,961.45

11/04/03 4,262.10 299.47 3,962.63

12/15/03 4,262.10 300.91 3,961.19

02/27/04 4,262.10 298.82 3,963.28

05/26/04 4,262.10 301.76 3,960.34

06/16/04 4,262.10 302.23 3,959.87

08/12/04 4,262.10 302.90 3,959.20

10/21/04 4,262.10 303.45 3,958.65

01/10/05 4,262.10 302.93 3,959.17

62 342205103181001 02N.35E.30.422 O 03/02/99 4,262.27 288.67 3,973.60

(Monitoring well U) 08/29/99 4,262.27 289.55 3,972.72

02/29/00 4,262.27 289.12 3,973.15

08/10/00 4,262.27 292.19 3,970.08

03/20/01 4,262.27 292.51 3,969.76

08/21/01 4,262.27 293.74 3,968.53

03/13/02 4,262.27 293.68 3,968.59

08/15/02 4,262.27 296.97 3,965.30

03/19/03 4,262.27 297.34 3,964.93

08/19/03 4,262.27 299.54 3,962.73

06/16/04 4,262.27 301.50 3,960.77

08/12/04 4,262.27 302.10 3,960.17

10/21/04 4,262.27 302.80 3,959.47

01/10/05 4,262.27 302.35 3,959.92

63 342206103192501 02N.34E.25.412222 I 02/11/82 4,266 251.60 4,014

02/06/87 4,266 255.15 4,011

64 342212103170401 02N.35E.29.242443 I 01/27/87 4,261 266.73 3,994

65 342218103182601 02N.35E.30.23213 O 02/21/94 4,263.83 266.82 3,997.01

(Monitoring well A) 08/09/94 4,263.83 268.31 3,995.52

02/22/95 4,263.83 269.76 3,994.07

08/21/95 4,263.83 271.33 3,992.50

02/28/96 4,263.83 273.17 3,990.66

08/22/01 4,263.83 285.93 3,977.90

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]

Supplemental Information 49
50 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

03/12/02 4,263.83 286.92 3,976.91

08/20/03 4,263.83 290.94 3,972.89

11/04/03 4,263.83 291.41 3,972.42

12/15/03 4,263.83 291.89 3,971.94

02/27/04 4,263.83 290.35 3,973.48

05/26/04 4,263.83 292.59 3,971.24

06/16/04 4,263.83 292.82 3,971.01

08/12/04 4,263.83 293.15 3,970.68

10/21/04 4,263.83 293.73 3,970.10

01/10/05 4,263.83 293.88 3,969.95

66 342219103183101 02N.35E.30.23211 O 02/27/96 4,263.50 272.03 3,991.47

(Monitoring well Q) 11/19/96 4,263.50 274.27 3,989.23

03/04/97 4,263.50 275.07 3,988.43

05/27/97 4,263.50 275.58 3,987.92

08/18/97 4,263.50 276.17 3,987.33

04/06/98 4,263.50 277.79 3,985.71

08/12/98 4,263.50 280.30 3,983.20

03/02/99 4,263.50 281.45 3,982.05

08/29/99 4,263.50 282.37 3,981.13

02/28/00 4,263.50 282.85 3,980.65

08/10/00 4,263.50 284.17 3,979.33

03/20/01 4,263.50 285.59 3,977.91

08/22/01 4,263.50 286.02 3,977.48

03/12/02 4,263.50 286.99 3,976.51

08/13/02 4,263.50 288.43 3,975.07

03/19/03 4,263.50 289.89 3,973.61

08/19/03 4,263.50 290.89 3,972.61

67 342222103194301 02N.34E.25.124 O 03/11/04 4,264.76 270.26 3,994.50

(Monitoring well X) 04/20/04 4,264.76 270.10 3,994.66

06/15/04 4,264.76 270.71 3,994.05

10/21/04 4,264.76 271.21 3,993.55

01/10/05 4,264.76 270.12 3,994.64

68 342225103173401 02N.35E.29.21133 I 02/11/54 4,269 222.78 4,046

69 342225103235501 02N.34E.29.12421 I 02/12/82 4,308 234.79 4,073

02/06/87 4,308 233.33 4,075

70 342232103211801 02N.34E.27.22221 S 02/26/82 4,294 255.90 4,038

02/05/87 4,294 260.32 4,034

02/10/87 4,294 260.04 4,034

71 342237103155101 02N.35E.22.334111 I 01/28/82 4,244 254.23 3,990

01/15/87 4,244 259.17 3,985

72 342240103170201 02N.35E.21.331313 I 02/10/82 4,260 260.83 3,999

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]
Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

73 342240103175001 02N.35E.20.312432 I 02/10/54 4,274 223.96 4,050

02/27/62 4,274 227.92 4,046

01/16/67 4,274 237.08 4,037

02/16/72 4,274 248.99 4,025

01/07/77 4,274 260.62 4,013

02/10/82 4,274 263.24 4,011

01/15/87 4,274 268.71 4,005

74 342246103172101 02N.35E.20.23434 I 01/12/72 4,262 242.85 4,019

01/07/77 4,262 249.56 4,012

02/11/82 4,262 255.29 4,007

75 342246103204201 02N.34E.23.32222 U 01/27/77 4,297 308.95 3,988

02/17/82 4,297 265.64 4,031

02/06/87 4,297 270.08 4,027

03/07/97 4,297 276.06 4,021

76 342258103150501 02N.35E.22.24344 I 01/27/82 4,258 269.80 3,988

77 342300103175001 --- O 02/29/04 4,270.11 294.97 3,975.14

(Monitoring well Oa) 05/26/04 4,270.11 297.12 3,972.99

08/12/04 4,270.11 299.88 3,970.23

10/21/04 4,270.11 298.75 3,971.36

01/10/05 4,270.11 297.50 3,972.61

78 342304103174401 02N.35E.20.1432 O 06/27/95 4,269.26 281.15 3,988.11

(Monitoring well O) 02/27/96 4,269.26 281.21 3,988.05

79 342306103142101 02N.35E.23.211311 I 01/20/67 4,267 260.80 4,006

01/11/72 4,267 268.46 3,999

01/07/77 4,267 276.92 3,990

01/26/82 4,267 281.72 3,985

01/15/87 4,267 284.58 3,982

80 342306103221801 02N.34E.21.24240 W 02/12/82 4,314 267.68 4,046

02/06/87 4,314 270.06 4,044

81 342307103181601 02N.35E.19.241 O 09/13/93 4,275.98 278.40 3,997.58

(Monitoring well H) 06/27/95 4,275.98 280.35 3,995.63

04/17/96 4,275.98 281.20 3,994.78

06/25/96 4,275.98 282.15 3,993.83

08/19/96 4,275.98 283.38 3,992.60

08/19/97 4,275.98 283.68 3,992.30

04/06/98 4,275.98 284.31 3,991.67

03/02/99 4,275.98 286.66 3,989.32

08/31/99 4,275.98 287.22 3,988.76

03/02/00 4,275.98 287.68 3,988.30

03/22/01 4,275.98 290.04 3,985.94

03/12/02 4,275.98 291.37 3,984.61

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded].

Supplemental Information 51
52 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

03/20/03 4,275.98 294.07 3,981.91

04/02/03 4,275.98 294.00 3,981.98

02/27/04 4,275.98 292.98 3,983.00

05/26/04 4,275.98 296.22 3,979.76

06/15/04 4,275.98 296.53 3,979.45

08/12/04 4,275.98 296.94 3,979.04

10/21/04 4,275.98 297.51 3,978.47

01/10/05 4,275.98 297.05 3,978.93

82 342309103180601 02N.35E.19.242 O 07/15/95 4,270.55 275.99 3,994.56

(Monitoring well P) 07/24/95 4,270.55 276.13 3,994.42

08/23/95 4,270.55 276.48 3,994.07

02/27/96 4,270.55 276.45 3,994.10

04/16/96 4,270.55 277.06 3,993.49

06/25/96 4,270.55 278.33 3,992.22

83 342310103160901 02N.35E.21.221122 I 01/06/56 4,276 240.20 4,036

01/11/57 4,276 241.90 4,034

01/13/58 4,276 244.65 4,031

01/14/59 4,276 241.88 4,034

01/15/60 4,276 242.61 4,033

01/19/61 4,276 243.07 4,033

01/05/62 4,276 244.09 4,032

01/14/64 4,276 250.83 4,025

02/17/65 4,276 249.02 4,027

01/10/68 4,276 253.97 4,022

01/07/69 4,276 256.11 4,020

01/06/70 4,276 257.14 4,019

01/06/71 4,276 273.26 4,003

01/05/72 4,276 261.08 4,015

01/04/73 4,276 262.75 4,013

01/04/75 4,276 269.92 4,006

01/06/76 4,276 268.50 4,008

01/05/77 4,276 282.36 3,994

01/06/79 4,276 270.34 4,006

01/07/80 4,276 271.68 4,004

01/10/81 4,276 284.08 3,992

01/11/82 4,276 273.44 4,003

01/10/83 4,276 274.03 4,002

01/16/84 4,276 274.04 4,002

01/14/85 4,276 274.55 4,001

01/13/86 4,276 278.98 3,997

01/12/87 4,276 275.15 4,001

01/12/88 4,276 275.80 4,000

84 342310103165901 02N.35E.21.11111 I 02/10/54 4,276 232.87 4,043

01/30/55 4,276 233.66 4,042

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]
Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

01/07/77 4,276 269.04 4,007

02/04/82 4,276 269.79 4,006

01/16/87 4,276 271.03 4,005

02/21/97 4,276 285.38 3,991

03/04/04 4,276 292.47 3,984

85 342310103180801 --- O 02/27/04 4,270.85 290.00 3,980.85

(Monitoring well Pa) 05/26/04 4,270.85 291.46 3,979.39

08/12/04 4,270.85 292.82 3,978.03

10/21/04 4,270.85 293.20 3,977.65

01/10/05 4,270.85 292.37 3,978.48

86 342313103180801 02N.35E.19.224 O 09/13/94 4,276.46 279.31 3,997.15

(Monitoring well G) 06/27/95 4,276.46 281.08 3,995.38

04/17/96 4,276.46 281.89 3,994.57

06/25/96 4,276.46 282.86 3,993.60

08/19/96 4,276.46 283.96 3,992.50

08/20/97 4,276.46 284.46 3,992.00

04/06/98 4,276.46 284.83 3,991.63

03/02/99 4,276.46 287.03 3,989.43

08/31/99 4,276.46 287.60 3,988.86

03/02/00 4,276.46 287.99 3,988.47

03/22/01 4,276.46 290.34 3,986.12

03/14/02 4,276.46 291.59 3,984.87

03/20/03 4,276.46 294.44 3,982.02

02/27/04 4,276.46 293.19 3,983.27

05/26/04 4,276.46 295.53 3,980.93

06/15/04 4,276.46 296.87 3,979.59

08/12/04 4,276.46 297.52 3,978.94

10/21/04 4,276.46 298.07 3,978.39

01/10/05 4,276.46 297.33 3,979.13

87 342317103174701 02N.35E.20.123 O 06/27/95 4,265.88 273.31 3,992.57

(Monitoring well N) 02/27/96 4,265.88 273.59 3,992.29

11/05/03 4,265.88 287.78 3,978.10

02/27/04 4,265.88 284.92 3,980.96

05/26/04 4,265.88 288.33 3,977.55

08/12/04 4,265.88 291.25 3,974.63

10/21/04 4,265.88 289.47 3,976.41

01/10/05 4,265.88 287.76 3,978.12

88 342320103142501 02N.35E.23.21113 I 03/06/62 4,267 249.91 4,017.00

89 342321103181001 02N.35E.19.222 O 09/12/94 4,274.93 276.99 3,997.94

(Monitoring well F) 06/27/95 4,274.93 278.91 3,996.02

04/16/96 4,274.93 279.17 3,995.76

06/26/96 4,274.93 280.50 3,994.43

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]

Supplemental Information 53
54 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

08/19/96 4,274.93 282.39 3,992.54

08/20/97 4,274.93 281.75 3,993.18

04/06/98 4,274.93 282.21 3,992.72

03/02/99 4,274.93 284.30 3,990.63

08/31/99 4,274.93 284.74 3,990.19

03/20/00 4,274.93 285.15 3,989.78

03/22/01 4,274.93 287.41 3,987.52

08/21/01 4,274.93 287.81 3,987.12

03/14/02 4,274.93 289.23 3,985.70

03/18/03 4,274.93 291.53 3,983.40

02/27/04 4,274.93 289.78 3,985.15

05/26/04 4,274.93 293.99 3,980.94

06/16/04 4,274.93 294.29 3,980.64

08/12/04 4,274.93 294.96 3,979.97

10/21/04 4,274.93 295.64 3,979.29

01/10/05 4,274.93 294.64 3,980.29

90 342323103145601 02N.35E.23.111 U 01/10/83 4,279 289.73 3,989

01/19/84 4,279 290.74 3,988

01/14/85 4,279 293.12 3,986

01/13/86 4,279 293.89 3,985

01/12/87 4,279 294.95 3,984

01/13/88 4,279 292.25 3,987

01/04/90 4,279 294.15 3,985

01/05/91 4,279 294.71 3,984

01/02/92 4,279 298.90 3,980

01/08/93 4,279 300.47 3,979

01/05/94 4,279 304.31 3,975

01/05/95 4,279 316.26 3,963

01/11/96 4,279 299.81 3,979

01/17/97 4,279 301.01 3,978

01/08/98 4,279 301.63 3,977

91 342323103180801 02N.35E.20.111 O 05/26/04 4,272.31 291.85 3,980.46

(Monitoring well Ra) 08/12/04 4,272.31 293.18 3,979.13

10/21/04 4,272.31 293.83 3,978.48

01/10/05 4,272.31 292.40 3,979.91

92 342324103211401 02N.34E.23.11111 I 02/17/82 4,317 287.62 4,029

02/05/87 4,317 290.39 4,027

93 342325103233601 02N.34E.17.43444 I 02/12/82 4,334 265.47 4,069

02/06/87 4,334 251.50 4,083

94 342328103182401 02N.35E.18.434 O 09/13/94 4,279.70 280.55 3,999.15

(Monitoring well E) 06/27/95 4,279.70 282.56 3,997.14

04/16/96 4,279.70 283.70 3,996.00

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]
Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

06/24/96 4,279.70 284.32 3,995.38

08/19/96 4,279.70 284.68 3,995.02

08/19/97 4,279.70 285.23 3,994.47

04/06/98 4,279.70 285.77 3,993.93

03/02/99 4,279.70 287.85 3,991.85

08/31/99 4,279.70 288.19 3,991.51

03/02/00 4,279.70 288.74 3,990.96

03/15/00 4,279.70 288.93 3,990.77

03/22/01 4,279.70 291.04 3,988.66

03/12/02 4,279.70 292.33 3,987.37

03/21/03 4,279.70 294.82 3,984.88

02/27/04 4,279.70 294.10 3,985.60

05/26/04 4,279.70 297.27 3,982.43

06/16/04 4,279.70 297.66 3,982.04

08/12/04 4,279.70 298.01 3,981.69

10/21/04 4,279.70 298.66 3,981.04

01/10/05 4,279.70 297.99 3,981.71

95 342338103203701 02N.34E.14.41112 I 01/23/67 4,329 273.89 4,055

01/11/72 4,329 286.40 4,043

01/05/77 4,329 295.70 4,033

02/17/82 4,329 305.74 4,023

02/06/87 4,329 308.89 4,020

03/07/97 4,329 312.50 4,017

03/05/04 4,329 319.77 4,009

96 342338103210701 02N.34E.14.31121 Z 02/27/62 4,337 268.46 4,069

97 342344103224901 02N.34E.16.32422 I 02/17/82 4,330 285.43 4,045

02/06/87 4,330 280.02 4,050

03/13/92 4,330 284.05 4,046

98 342348103175801 02N.35E.17.3121 O 02/27/04 4,296.95 311.49 3,985.46

(Monitoring well W) 03/11/04 4,296.95 314.32 3,982.63

04/29/04 4,296.95 314.81 3,982.14

05/26/04 4,296.95 315.80 3,981.15

06/15/04 4,296.95 316.44 3,980.51

08/12/04 4,296.95 317.18 3,979.77

10/21/04 4,296.95 317.91 3,979.04

01/10/05 4,296.95 315.33 3,981.62

99 342353103214601 02N.34E.15.14442 I 02/18/82 4,341 310.01 4,031

100 342358103151601 02N.35E.15.232411 U 10/27/77 4,309 315.55 3,993

01/28/82 4,309 317.39 3,992

01/15/87 4,309 319.40 3,990

101 342401103155901 02N.35E.15.13111 I 01/28/82 4,314 314.71 3,999

01/15/87 4,314 316.76 3,997

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded].

Supplemental Information 55
56  Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

102 342404103210401 02N.34E.14.11121 I 01/30/67 4,353 301.75 4,051

01/13/72 4,353 316.85 4,036

01/05/77 4,353 325.47 4,028

02/16/82 4,353 336.21 4,017

02/05/87 4,353 338.90 4,014

103 342405103170301 02N.35E.17.22442 I 02/10/82 4,305 295.29 4,010

01/27/87 4,305 297.58 4,007

104 342405103235001 02N.34E.17.122224 --- 01/23/67 4,357 265.65 4,091

01/12/72 4,357 268.23 4,089

105 342406103183401 02N.35E.07.34442 W 03/07/62 4,325 274.13 4,051

01/11/72 4,325 293.78 4,031

106 342418103180601 02N.35E.07.44442 W 02/16/82 4,315 298.66 4,016

01/16/87 4,315 303.97 4,011

02/21/97 4,315 309.55 4,005

107 342418103201201 02N.34E.13.1111 O 11/06/03 4,324.82 330.30 3,994.52

(Monitoring well V) 01/16/04 4,324.82 330.04 3,994.78

03/11/04 4,324.82 330.59 3,994.23

04/20/04 4,324.82 330.31 3,994.51

06/14/04 4,324.82 330.64 3,994.18

10/21/04 4,324.82 331.04 3,993.78

01/10/05 4,324.82 330.74 3,994.08

108 342419103232301 02N.34E.08.442114 I 01/05/77 4,362 297.19 4,065

02/18/82 4,362 299.48 4,063

02/04/87 4,362 297.05 4,065

03/07/97 4,362 301.18 4,061

109 342424103220901 02N.34E.10.332333 I 02/05/87 4,363 338.06 4,025

04/28/87 4,363 337.54 4,025

110 342435103223501 O2N.34.E.09.400 U --- 4,364 --- ---

111 342442103213601 02N.34E.10.23124 I 03/06/62 4,365 293.12 4,072

01/24/67 4,365 308.65 4,056

02/01/68 4,365 311.05 4,054

01/08/69 4,365 313.46 4,052

01/07/70 4,365 316.59 4,048

01/05/71 4,365 318.78 4,046

01/04/72 4,365 324.42 4,041

01/03/74 4,365 333.66 4,031

01/04/75 4,365 336.68 4,028

01/04/77 4,365 341.00 4,024

01/05/77 4,365 351.40 4,014

03/16/77 4,365 337.04 4,028

01/06/79 4,365 341.74 4,023

112 342453103141901 02N.35E.11.21111 I 01/25/77 4,319 323.40 3,996

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]
Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

01/26/82 4,319 323.95 3,995

01/15/87 4,319 324.68 3,994

113 342455103183301 02N.35E.07.122221 I 01/11/72 4,344 311.90 4,032

114 342456103195201 02N.34E.12.11222 I 03/14/62 4,354 266.57 4,087

02/01/63 4,354 298.18 4,056

01/24/67 4,354 307.69 4,046

01/31/72 4,354 317.67 4,036

01/04/77 4,354 333.25 4,021

02/16/82 4,354 346.37 4,008

01/27/87 4,354 348.53 4,005

115 342457103213901 02N.34E.10.21112 I 01/31/72 4,365 322.52 4,042

01/04/77 4,365 338.29 4,027

01/07/80 4,365 344.82 4,020

01/12/81 4,365 348.93 4,016

01/11/82 4,365 348.71 4,016

01/09/83 4,365 350.54 4,014

01/18/84 4,365 351.21 4,014

01/13/85 4,365 349.98 4,015

01/13/87 4,365 349.01 4,016

01/04/91 4,365 348.73 4,016

01/02/92 4,365 347.73 4,017

01/05/93 4,365 347.11 4,018

01/17/97 4,365 354.77 4,010

116 342505103151801 02N.35E.10.21111 I 03/03/62 4,336 303.74 4,032

02/03/67 4,336 326.32 4,010

02/01/68 4,336 323.63 4,012

01/08/69 4,336 326.12 4,010

01/08/70 4,336 326.38 4,010

01/09/71 4,336 331.36 4,005

01/05/72 4,336 334.21 4,002

01/11/72 4,336 334.49 4,002

01/04/73 4,336 334.22 4,002

01/04/74 4,336 337.65 3,998

01/04/75 4,336 345.22 3,991

01/07/76 4,336 350.19 3,986

01/05/77 4,336 361.74 3,974

01/07/77 4,336 338.05 3,998

03/16/77 4,336 338.44 3,998

01/06/79 4,336 338.96 3,997

01/08/80 4,336 340.03 3,996

01/12/81 4,336 340.23 3,996

01/09/82 4,336 339.02 3,997

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]

Supplemental Information 57
58  Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

01/10/83 4,336 338.54 3,997

01/18/84 4,336 339.05 3,997

01/13/85 4,336 337.77 3,998

01/11/86 4,336 338.94 3,997

01/13/87 4,336 338.39 3,998

01/12/88 4,336 337.62 3,998

01/04/91 4,336 340.74 3,995

01/03/92 4,336 340.65 3,995

01/05/93 4,336 340.06 3,996

01/05/94 4,336 341.19 3,995

01/04/95 4,336 342.39 3,994

01/11/96 4,336 343.59 3,992

01/06/98 4,336 344.64 3,991

117 342506103164701 02N.35E.09.12111 I 01/29/82 4,345 348.38 3,997

01/16/87 4,345 346.29 3,999

118 342506103174201 02N.35E.08.12211 I 01/29/82 4,349 329.92 4,019

01/16/87 4,349 330.39 4,019

119 342509103203801 02N.34E.02.43111 I 01/04/77 4,369 340.77 4,028

02/05/87 4,369 356.62 4,012

120 342519103230101 02N.34E.04.32133 I 03/03/62 4,394 313.16 4,081

01/24/67 4,394 326.38 4,068

02/01/68 4,394 331.65 4,062

01/08/69 4,394 336.44 4,058

01/07/70 4,394 337.87 4,056

01/07/71 4,394 342.15 4,052

01/04/72 4,394 352.37 4,042

01/03/73 4,394 353.37 4,041

01/03/74 4,394 352.81 4,041

01/03/75 4,394 360.02 4,034

01/06/76 4,394 367.78 4,026

01/05/77 4,394 364.06 4,030

01/08/78 4,394 368.60 4,025

01/06/79 4,394 365.88 4,028

01/07/80 4,394 366.77 4,027

01/12/81 4,394 371.56 4,022

01/11/82 4,394 368.25 4,026

01/09/83 4,394 369.17 4,025

01/13/85 4,394 368.22 4,026

01/11/86 4,394 366.96 4,027

121 342520103165601 02N.35E.04.31111 I 04/21/54 4,356 295.49 4,061

01/29/55 4,356 300.79 4,055

01/09/56 4,356 303.90 4,052

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded]
Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

01/15/57 4,356 306.07 4,050

01/22/58 4,356 306.98 4,049

01/19/61 4,356 308.17 4,048

01/17/62 4,356 308.80 4,047

01/14/64 4,356 313.46 4,043

02/17/65 4,356 317.32 4,039

01/07/71 4,356 331.56 4,024

01/26/77 4,356 346.41 4,010

122 342521103221801 02N.34E.04.44222 I 02/18/82 4,381 359.73 4,021

02/05/87 4,381 358.32 4,023

123 342522103203801 02N.34E.02.41111 Z 03/03/62 4,373 302.23 4,071

01/24/67 4,373 320.75 4,052

01/31/72 4,373 329.04 4,044

124 342523103225301 02N.34E.04.32211 I 01/04/77 4,391 361.26 4,030

125 342532103180501 02N.35E.05.31111 I 01/29/82 4,362 342.88 4,019

01/16/87 4,362 343.18 4,019

02/21/97 4,362 344.66 4,017

126 342533103145601 02N.35E.02.13333 I 01/29/82 4,335 334.91 4,000

01/16/87 4,335 335.44 4,000

127 342535103190201 02N.35E.06.31211 I 01/29/82 4,360 334.52 4,025

01/30/87 4,360 334.71 4,025

128 342535103211501 02N.34E.03.20000 I 02/18/82 4,391 365.33 4,026

02/05/87 4,391 365.91 4,025

129 342547103190201 02N.35E.06.11111 I 03/03/62 4,375 307.15 4,068

130 342548103193601 02N.34E.01.12222 I 03/14/62 4,384 315.37 4,069

01/24/67 4,384 320.26 4,064

02/01/68 4,384 325.65 4,058

01/08/69 4,384 329.27 4,055

01/07/70 4,384 331.00 4,053

01/05/71 4,384 333.45 4,051

01/05/72 4,384 336.75 4,047

01/11/72 4,384 334.70 4,049

01/03/73 4,384 336.12 4,048

01/03/74 4,384 342.14 4,042

01/03/75 4,384 338.13 4,046

01/06/76 4,384 339.70 4,044

01/04/77 4,384 341.82 4,042

01/05/77 4,384 341.63 4,042

01/07/78 4,384 342.04 4,042

01/06/79 4,384 341.77 4,042

01/07/80 4,384 342.35 4,042

01/12/81 4,384 342.91 4,041

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded].

Supplemental Information 59
60 Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico

Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

01/11/82 4,384 342.78 4,041

01/09/83 4,384 342.18 4,042

01/18/84 4,384 342.19 4,042

01/13/85 4,384 341.76 4,042

01/13/87 4,384 341.91 4,042

01/12/88 4,384 341.44 4,043

01/04/91 4,384 342.36 4,042

01/02/92 4,384 341.91 4,042

01/05/93 4,384 341.73 4,042

01/05/94 4,384 341.04 4,043

01/05/95 4,384 341.81 4,042

01/17/97 4,384 343.63 4,040

03/03/04 4,384 348.09 4,036

131 342551103232201 02N.34E.05.242 I --- 4,400 --- ---

132 342559103155601 03N.35E.34.33333 I 01/13/87 4,357 344.91 4,012

133 342559103165301 03N.35E.33.33344 I 02/23/82 4,366 354.57 4,011

01/13/87 4,366 354.88 4,011

134 342559103183401 03N.35E.31.43333 I 02/23/82 4,370 345.90 4,024

01/13/87 4,370 333.18 4,037

04/03/87 4,370 333.10 4,037

135 342600103232001 02N.34E.05.22222 I 02/18/82 4,409 377.17 4,032

01/27/87 4,409 372.23 4,037

136 342609103172701 03N.35E.32.41131 I 03/16/77 4,381 347.29 4,034

02/23/82 4,381 351.00 4,030

01/13/87 4,381 352.56 4,028

137 342615103220701 03N.34E.34.31122 I 03/03/62 4,424 308.85 4,115

01/30/63 4,424 311.55 4,112

02/01/72 4,424 364.33 4,060

01/13/77 4,424 378.20 4,046

02/26/82 4,424 388.71 4,035

01/13/87 4,424 388.20 4,036

03/07/97 4,424 391.58 4,032

138 342626103195301 03N.34E.36.32111 I 02/10/82 4,394 343.00 4,051

139 342626103204101 03N.34E.35.41111 I 02/26/82 4,407 349.04 4,058

140 342630103145201 03N.35E.35.31111 I 04/21/54 4,347 295.49 4,052

01/09/56 4,347 303.31 4,044

01/16/57 4,347 304.24 4,043

01/22/58 4,347 302.98 4,044

01/19/59 4,347 301.86 4,045

01/19/61 4,347 304.06 4,043

01/17/62 4,347 304.15 4,043

01/22/63 4,347 307.21 4,040

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded].
Map 

identifier 

(fig. I–1)

U.S. Geological Survey 

identifier Township and range

Primary

use of

water

Waterlevel

date

Altitude

of land

surface

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

Water

level

(feet 

below 

land

surface)

Altitude

of water

level

(feet above 

NAVD 88)

01/14/64 4,347 310.69 4,036

01/12/66 4,347 314.65 4,032

01/11/68 4,347 322.00 4,025

02/04/77 4,347 327.84 4,019

141 342630103231901 03N.34E.33.13331 I 02/10/82 4,422 385.60 4,036

01/08/87 4,422 379.19 4,043

142 342633103155301 03N.35E.34.11133 I 01/06/71 4,369 328.16 4,041

01/27/72 4,369 332.35 4,037

01/04/73 4,369 336.07 4,033

01/03/74 4,369 333.50 4,036

01/04/75 4,369 336.32 4,033

01/07/76 4,369 332.60 4,036

01/05/77 4,369 333.84 4,035

01/07/78 4,369 333.65 4,035

01/06/79 4,369 334.52 4,034

01/08/80 4,369 338.80 4,030

01/12/81 4,369 343.77 4,025

02/23/82 4,369 342.44 4,027

01/10/83 4,369 342.98 4,026

01/18/84 4,369 340.54 4,028

01/11/85 4,369 338.58 4,030

01/13/87 4,369 340.02 4,029

01/12/88 4,369 340.19 4,029

01/04/90 4,369 346.77 4,022

01/04/91 4,369 343.99 4,025

01/02/92 4,369 343.46 4,026

01/07/94 4,369 351.84 4,017

01/22/97 4,369 345.31 4,024

03/12/02 4,369 346.36 4,023

03/11/04 4,369 348.68 4,020

143 342638103162401 03N.35E.33.21111 I 03/03/62 4,378 313.75 4,064

01/19/67 4,378 323.10 4,055

02/04/77 4,378 335.40 4,043

144 342653103195201 03N.34E.25.33222 I 01/20/69 4,406 322.03 4,084

01/27/72 4,406 325.88 4,080

01/13/77 4,406 330.27 4,076

02/26/82 4,406 334.62 4,071

01/13/87 4,406 336.15 4,070

145 342655103151401 03N.35E.27.43414 I 02/19/82 4,364 331.82 4,032

01/13/87 4,364 332.40 4,032

Table I–2. Altitudes of water levels in selected wells at Cannon Air Force Base and the surrounding area.—Continued

[Monitoring well, Cannon Air Force Base monitoring well; Primary use of water: I, irrigation; O, observation; S, stock watering; U, unused; 

Z, other; W, withdrawal; ---, not recorded].

Supplemental Information  61
Langman—Ground-Water Hydrology, Water Quality, High Plains Aquifer, New Mexico—USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5280

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