DESCRIPTION OF PIEZOMETERS 

INSTALLED IN THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE 

BASIN AREA, 1997-99, CENTRAL NEW 

MEXICO

By James R. Bartolino and Dale R. Rankin

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Open-File Report 00-477

Prepared in cooperation with the

NEW MEXICO OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

Albuquerque, New Mexico 

2001
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

GALE A. NORTON, Secretary

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Charles G. Groat, Director

The use of firm, trade, and brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and does 

not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey.

For additional information write to:

District Chief

U.S. Geological Survey

Water Resources Division

5338 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Suite 400

Albuquerque, NM 87109-1311

Copies of this report can be purchased 

from:

U.S. Geological Survey 

Information Services 

Box 25286 

Denver, CO 80225-0286

Information regarding research and data-collection programs of the U.S. Geological Survey is available 

on the Internet via the World Wide Web. You may connect to the home page for the New Mexico District 

Office using the URL http://nm.water.usgs.gov.
CONTENTS

Page

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

Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Purpose and scope ....................................................................................................................................................... 1

Well-numbering system in New Mexico..................................................................................................................... 1

Drilling method and piezometer construction............................................................................................................. 3

Description of instrumentation installed...................................................................................................................... 4

Acknowledgments....................................................................................................................................................... 4

Description of piezometers installed by the U.S. Geological Survey.................................................................................... 4

Bernalillo site............................................................................................................................................................... 4

Dome Road site ........................................................................................................................................................... 8

Nancy Lopez site......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Phoenix Road site........................................................................................................................................................ 8

Tome site............................................................... 8

Description of piezometers installed by the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer....................................................... 13

Lincoln School site...................................................................................................................................................... 13

MathesonPark site....................................................................................................................................................... 13

Mesa del Sol site.......................................................................................................................................................... 13

References cited..................................................................................................................................................................... 13

FIGURES

1. Map showing location of piezometer sites and the Middle Rio Grande Basin.......................................................... 2

2. Diagram showing well-numbering system in New Mexico....................................................................................... 3

3. Map showing location of the Bernalillo piezometer site ........................................................................................... 6

4. Diagrams showing configuration of the piezometers at the Bernalillo, Nancy Lopez, and

Tome sites............................................................................................................................................................. 7

5. Map showing location of the Dome Road piezometer site........................................................................................ 9

6. Map showing location of the Nancy Lopez piezometer site...................................................................................... 10

7. Map showing location of the Phoenix Road piezometer site..................................................................................... 11

8. Map showing location of the Tome piezometer site .................................................................................................. 12

9. Map showing location of the Lincoln School piezometer site................................................................................... 15

10. Diagrams showing configuration of the piezometers at the Lincoln School, Matheson Park,

and Mesa del Sol sites........................................................................................................................................... 16

11. Map showing location of the Matheson Park piezometer site ................................................................................... 17

12. Map showing location of the Mesa del Sol piezometer site....................................................................................... 18

13. Petrophysical logs, completion diagrams of piezometers, and lithologic logs for the:

A. Bernalillo site ...................................................................................................................................................... 20

B. Dome Road site................................................................................................................................................... 22

C.Nancy Lopez site................................................................................................................................................. 24

D. Phoenix Road site................................................................................................................................................ 26

E. Tome site ............................................................................................................................................................. 28

iii
TABLES

Page

1. Location, construction information, and initial water-level data for piezometers installed in the Middle

Rio Grande Basin area by the U.S. Geological Survey during 1998-99.............................................................. 5

2. Location, construction information, and initial water-level data for piezometers installed in the Middle

Rio Grande Basin area by the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer during 1997....................................... 14

CONVERSION FACTORS AND VERTICAL DATUM

Multiply By To obtain

inch

foot

mile

acre

25.40

0.3048

1.609

4,047

millimeter

meter

kilometer

square meter

Sea level: In this report, "sea level" refers to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 a 

geodetic datum derived from a general adjustment of the first-order level nets of the United States 

and Canada, formerly called Sea Level Datum of 1929.

Altitude, as used in this report, refers to distance above sea level.

Iv
Description of Piezometers Installed in the Middle Rio 

Grande Basin Area, 1997-99, Central New Mexico

By James R. Bartolino and Dale R. Rankin

ABSTRACT

Since 1993, the Santa Fe Group aquifer 

system in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, and 

particularly in the Albuquerque area, has been the 

focus of studies to further define the extent of the 

most productive parts of the aquifer and to gain a 

better understanding of how ground-water levels 

are changing over time. The U.S. Geological 

Survey, in cooperation with the New Mexico 

Office of the State Engineer, installed nine 

piezometers during 1998-99 at five sites in and 

near the margin of the Middle Rio Grande Basin in 

central New Mexico. In addition, the New Mexico 

Office of the State Engineer installed another nine 

piezometers at three sites during 1997. These 

piezometers allow for collection of ground-waterlevel data in areas for which little information is 

available. Most of the piezometers were 

constructed of 2.5-inch-diameter flush-joint 

poly vinyl chloride (PVC) schedule 80 casing with 

10-foot stainless steel screens; the shallow 

piezometer at the Tome site has a 40-foot screen, 

and the single piezometers at the Dome Road and 

Phoenix Road sites have steel casing with welded 

joints and a 10- and a 20-foot screen, respectively. 

Steel casing with a locking lid covers the 

uppermost 2 feet of the piezometer casing. 

Drillers' logs and petrophysical logs were 

collected from the deepest borehole at each site.

INTRODUCTION

Since 1993, the Santa Fe Group aquifer system 

in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, particularly in the 

Albuquerque area, has been the focus of studies to

further define the extent of the most productive parts of 

the aquifer and to gain a better understanding of how 

ground-water levels are changing over time (Hawley 

and Haase (1992); Thorn, McAda, and Kernodle 

(1993); Kernodle, McAda, and Thorn (1995); McAda 

(1996); Bartolino (1997); Tiedeman, Kernodle, and 

McAda (1998). During 1998-99, the U.S. Geological 

Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the New Mexico 

Office of the State Engineer (NMOSE) installed nine 

piezometers at five sites in and near the margins of the 

Middle Rio Grande Basin in central New Mexico. 

These piezometers allow for collection of water-level 

data in areas for which little information is available 

(fig. 1). The additional water-level data collected will 

lead to a better understanding of water movement 

through the Santa Fe Group aquifer system, thus 

allowing for better management of ground-water 

resources in the basin.

Purpose and Scope

This report describes the location and 

construction of nine piezometers that were installed at 

five sites by the USGS in and near the margins of the 

Middle Rio Grande Basin in central New Mexico. The 

report presents piezometer configurations, 

petrophysical logs, completion diagrams of 

piezometers, and lithologic logs. Also included are 

location and construction information and piezometer 

configurations for nine piezometers installed at three 

sites in 1997 by the NMOSE.

Well-Numbering System in New Mexico

The system of numbering wells in New Mexico 

is used to designate the location of piezometer sites in 

this report. The system is based on the common 

subdivision of public lands into sections (fig. 2).
107°15' 107° 106°45' 106°30' 106°15'

Middle^ 

Rio Grande 

Basin

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

1977,1978; and City of Albuquerque digital data, 1:2,400,1994

0 10 20 30 MILES

h

EXPLANATION 

Nancy Lopez piezometer site and name

10

 i 

20 30 KILOMETERS

Figure 1. Location of piezometer sites and the Middle Rio Grande Basin.
SEC;T|ONS

/I 

Well 10N.02E.12.312

Figure 2. Well-numbering system in New Mexico.

The well number, in addition to designating the well, 

locates its position to the nearest 10-acre tract in the 

land network. This number is divided into four 

segments. The first segment denotes the township north 

(N.) or south (S.) of the New Mexico base line, the 

second denotes the range east (E.) or west (W.) of the 

New Mexico principal meridian, and the third denotes 

the section. The fourth segment (the section) of the 

number consists of three digits and denotes the 160-, 

40-, and 10-acre tracts, respectively. The section is 

divided into four quarters numbered 1,2,3, and 4 in the 

normal reading order, for the northwest, northeast, 

southwest, and southeast quarters. The first digit of the 

fourth segment denotes the quarter section, which is a 

tract of 160 acres. Similarly, the quarter section is 

divided into four 40-acre tracts numbered in the same 

manner, and the second digit denotes the 40-acre tract. 

Finally, the 40-acre tract is divided into four 10-acre 

tracts, and the third digit denotes the 10-acre tract. For 

example, well 10N.02E.12.312 is in the NE1/4 of the 

NW1/4 of the SW1/4 of section 12, T. 10 N., R. 02 E. 

(fig. 2). Letters A, B, C, and so on are added to the 

fourth segment to designate the second, third, fourth, 

and succeeding wells in the same 10-acre tract.

Drilling Method and Piezometer 

Construction

A three-person crew from the USGS Central 

Region Drilling Project drilled and constructed the nine 

piezometers at five sites during 1998-99. A drilling and 

construction program was established for each site; the 

primary factors controlling the program were the 

number of piezometers to be constructed at each site, 

the estimated depth to water, and the estimated depth of 

each piezometer. At sites where the depth to water was 

estimated to be greater than about 600 feet, such as the 

Dome Road and Phoenix Road sites, the program 

called for a single-piezometer completion using 4- 

inch- and 3-inch-diameter steel casing, respectively. At 

the other three sites where the depth to water was 

estimated to be less than 200 feet, the program called 

for multiple-piezometer completions using 2.5-inchdiameter PVC casing. Stainless steel screens (0.020- 

inch slot size) were used in all piezometers with the 

exception of the shallow, 40-foot PVC screen (0.010- 

inch slot size) at the Tome site. Attached to the bottom 

of all screens is a 5- or 10-foot section of blank casing 

(known as a sump) that is capped on the bottom.

Drilling began at each site with the emplacement 

and subsequent cementing of steel surface casing. At 

the single-completion sites (Dome Road and Phoenix 

Road), 8-inch-diameter casing was used, and at the 

remaining three sites 12-inch-diameter casing was 

used. One deep borehole was drilled at each site, in 

which one to three piezometers of varying depths were 

installed. The USGS collected drill cuttings at 5- to 10- 

foot intervals for sediment analysis and depositional 

interpretation by staff of the New Mexico Bureau of 

Mines and Mineral Resources.

After total depth of the borehole was reached and 

prior to piezometer completion, the drill string was 

removed from the borehole and selected petrophysical 

logs were run. These logs included a caliper log, sonic 

log, gamma log, neutron log, induction log, and a full 

set of electric logs including long-short normal, 

spontaneous-potential, and compensated density log. 

Every attempt was made to extend all logging tools to 

the bottom of the borehole. After the logs were 

evaluated, permeable zones of the aquifer were 

selected to coincide with the screened intervals.

After the piezometer casing was inserted into the 

borehole, a tremie pipe (a small-diameter pipe used to 

conduct material to the bottom of the borehole) was 

inserted into the borehole beside the casing. If the 

borehole needed backfilling, bentonite chips were
emplaced using the tremie pipe, over which a primary 

filter pack (backfill material in the annular space 

surrounding and immediately above the screen) of 10- 

20 silica sand was emplaced in the annulus 

immediately below, above, and adjacent to the screen. 

The 10-20 silica sand has an intermediate axis between 

0.0331 and 0.0787 inch (between 0.841 and 2 

millimeters). The amount of 10-20 silica sand used 

depended on the degree to which the borehole wall 

caved in (providing for a natural primary filter pack).

For most of the piezometers, several feet of 

bentonite chips were then emplaced in the borehole 

above the sand filter pack. For the other piezometers, 

granular bentonite was emplaced directly over the filter 

pack. In the single-completion piezometer at Phoenix 

Road and at the multipiezometer Bernalillo site, the 

granular bentonite was emplaced to land surface. In the 

remaining piezometers, the granular bentonite was 

overlain with cement/bentonite grout that reached land 

surface.

Before the drill rig moved off site, all 

piezometers were developed to remove fine-grained 

material that might have passed through the screen 

during completion of the piezometers. The shallow 

water-table piezometers were developed by bailing, 

and the deeper piezometers were developed with air. 

Development continued in each piezometer until no 

fine-grained material was visible. Once all piezometers 

were installed at each site, a round steel casing 

protector with a locking lid was cemented into the 

ground to cover the piezometers at the site. A round 

steel casing recorder shelter was installed a few feet 

from the casing protector to house a data logger and 

power supply. Flexible conduit was buried between the 

surface casing and recorder shelter so that wiring from 

pressure transducers could be installed from the 

piezometer nest to the recorder shelter.

Description of Instrumentation Installed

All piezometers described in this report have 

been instrumented with pressure transducers to record 

ground-water levels. At the single-completion sites, the 

pressure transducer is connected to an electronic data 

logger. At multipiezometer sites, all transducers are 

connected to a single data logger. Water-level 

measurements are recorded at 1-hour intervals. Data 

are downloaded from the data loggers about every 4-8 

weeks and the water level is measured in each

piezometer manually to confirm the accuracy of the 

pressure transducers.

Acknowledgments

The USGS and NMOSE are appreciative of the 

following land owners who provided access to the 

sites: AMREP Corp., City of Rio Rancho, Rio Rancho 

Public Schools, Rio Grande Utility Corp., Town of 

Bernalillo, City of Albuquerque, New Mexico State 

Land Office, and the University of New Mexico. Linda 

Logan, NMOSE, and Stephanie Moore, USGS, 

provided technical reviews of this report.

DESCRIPTION OF PIEZOMETERS 

INSTALLED BY THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL 

SURVEY

Site and construction information about the nine 

piezometers installed at five sites by the USGS is listed 

in table 1 and is discussed in the following five 

sections. Petrophysical logs, completion diagrams of 

the piezometers, and lithologic logs are presented in the 

back of the report (fig. 13). Configuration diagrams for 

multipiezometer sites also are presented in figures.

Bernalillo Site

The Bernalillo site is in the town of Bernalillo, 

approximately 600 feet southeast of the Rio Grande, 

inside the yard of the wastewater treatment plant 

(fig. 3). Drilling at the Bernalillo site began on July 30, 

1999, and the total depth of 1,255 feet was reached on 

August 13, 1999. The two piezometers at the site are 

contained in a 56-foot length of 12-inch-diameter steel 

surface casing; the configuration of the piezometers is 

shown in figure 4. Each piezometer consists of 2.5- 

inch-diameter PVC casing, a 10-foot stainless steel 

screen, and a 10-foot PVC sump below the screen. The 

screened intervals were set from 290 to 300 feet and 

from 1,175 to 1.185 feet below land surface. 

Petrophysical logs, a completion diagram of the two 

piezometers, and a lithologic log are shown in figure 

13. Site and construction information and initial waterlevel data are listed in table 1.
Table 1. Location, construction information, and initial water-level data for piezometers installed in the 

Middle Rio Grande Basin area by the U.S. Geological Survey during 1998-99

[-do--, ditto]

Site name and

piezometer

Bernalillo(figure 3)DeepMedium

Dome Road

(figure 5)

Nancy Lopez

(figure 6)

DeepMediumPhoenix Road

(figure 7)

Tome

(figure 8)

Deep

Medium

Shallow

U.S. Geological

Survey site

identifier

351821106333901351821106333902

354056106215801343753106430601

343753106430602352019106474801344431106393401

344431106393402

344431106393403

Piezometer

location Latitude Longitude

13N.04E.3 1.343 35°18'19.8" 106°33'33.6"

 do -do do 

17N.05E.24.344 35°40'57.3" 106°21'56.2"

05N.03E.28.411 34°37'52.8" 106°43'04.4"

 do do do 

13N.01E.24.313 35°20'21.4" 106°47'46"

06N.03E. 18.442 34°44'31" 106°39'34"

-do- -do- -do-.. do -do- -do 

Landsurface

elevation

(feet)

5,046

~do~

5,818

4,925"do~

6,150

5,020

-do-

-doDate completed 09/02/99 -do- 10/09/98 10/02/98 -do- ll/24/99 08/21/98 -do- "do~

Borehole

depth

(feet)

1,255

-do1,312

1,201

-do1,685

1,200

-do--doScreened interval of piezometer (feet) 1,175-1,185 290-300 1,280-1,290 1,166-1,176 675-685 1,600-1,620 1,185-1,195 695-705 225-265

Initial 

water

level

(feet

below

land

surface)

41.04

31.99592.7

132.34131.95

1,184.25

194.89

194.43

193.63

Date

water

level

measured

09/02/99

-Do10/09/98

10/02/98

-Do1 1/24/99

08/21/98

-Do---DO-
106°33'30" 106°32'

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 

1:100,000 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 MILE

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8

EXPLANATION

, Piezometer

1 KILOMETER

Figure 3. Location of the Bernalillo piezometer site (see figure 1 for general location of site).
12-inch-diameter 

steel surface casing

12-inch-diameter 

steel surface casing

Bernalillo site Nancy Lopez site

12-inch-diameter 

steel surface casing

Tome site

Figure 4. Configuration of the piezometers at the Bernalillo, Nancy Lopez, and Tome sites.
Dome Road Site Phoenix Road Site

The Dome Road site is on the south side of 

Cochiti Canyon, approximately 3 miles northwest of 

the town of Cochiti Lake (fig. 5). Drilling at the Dome 

Road site began on August 22, 1999, and the total depth 

of 1,312 feet was reached on September 20, 1999. 

The interval from 1,302 to 1,312 feet was cored; 

recovery consisted of about 1.5 feet of cobbles. The one 

piezometer at the site is contained in a 52-foot length of 

8-inch-diameter steel surface casing. The piezometer 

consists of 4-inch-diameter steel casing, a 10-foot 

stainless steel screen, and a 10-foot steel sump below 

the screen. The screened interval was set from 1,280 to 

1,290 feet below land surface. Petrophysical logs, a 

completion diagram of piezometers, and a lithologic 

log are shown in figure 13. Site and construction 

information and initial water-level data are listed in 

table I.

Nancy Lopez Site

The Nancy Lopez site is approximately 2 miles 

east-southeast of the junction of New Mexico Highway 

47 and Highway 304 (fig. 6). Drilling at the Nancy 

Lopez site began on August 22, 1999, and the total 

depth of 1,201 feet was reached on August 29, 1999. 

The two piezometers at the site are contained in a 38- 

foot length of 12-inch-diameter steel surface casing; 

the configuration of the piezometers is shown in figure 

4. Each piezometer consists of 2.5-inch-diameter PVC 

casing, a 10-foot stainless steel screen, and a 5-foot 

PVC sump below the screen. The screened intervals 

were set from 675 to 685 feet and from 1,166 to 1,176 

feet below land surface. The deep piezometer was 

damaged during installation, and sediment entered the 

casing. Water-level measurements from this 

piezometer seem reasonable, however, and the 

permeability of sediment in the casing does not appear 

to alter the head in the aquifer adjacent to the screened 

interval. Petrophysical logs, a completion diagram of 

the two piezometers, and a lithologic log are shown in 

figure 13. Site and construction information and initial 

water-level data are listed in table 1.

The Phoenix Road site is near Phoenix Road, 

approximately 3 miles west of Rainbow Road and the 

city of Rio Rancho in a grid of currently (2000) 

unpaved and unnamed streets (fig. 7). Drilling at the 

Phoenix Road site began on October 16, 1999, and the 

total depth of 1,685 feet was reached on November 3, 

1999. The one piezometer at the site is contained in an 

80-foot length of 8-inch-diameter steel surface casing. 

The piezometer consists of 3-inch-diameter steel 

casing, a 20-foot stainless steel screen, and a 10-foot 

steel sump below the screen. The screened interval was 

set from 1,600 to 1,620 feet below land surface. 

Petrophysical logs, a completion diagram of 

piezometers, and a lithologic log are shown in figure 

13. Site and construction information and initial waterlevel data are listed in table 1.

Tome Site

The Tome site is approximately 4 miles 

southeast of the village of Los Lunas, approximately 

0.8 mile east of the Manzano Expressway on north Rio 

del Oro Loop, and approximately 65 feet south of the 

road (fig. 8). Drilling at the Tome site began on July 11, 

1999, and the total depth of 1,200 feet was reached on 

July 19, 1999. The three piezometers at the site are 

contained in a 40-foot length of 12-inch-diameter steel 

surface casing; the configuration of the piezometers is 

shown in figure 4. Each piezometer consists of 2.5- 

inch-diameter PVC casing, a 10-foot stainless steel 

screen or a 40-foot PVC screen, and a 5- or 10-foot 

PVC sump below the screen. The screened intervals 

were set from 225 to 265 feet, 695 to 705 feet, and 

1,185 to 1,195 feet below land surface. Petrophysical 

logs, a completion diagram of the two piezometers, and 

a lithologic log are shown in figure 13. Site and 

completion information and initial water-level data are 

listed in table 1.
106°22'30" 106°19'30"

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 

1:100,000 EXPLANATION 

 Piezometer

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 MILE

I I H H h ' 

0 0.20.40.60.8 1 KILOMETER

Figure 5. Location of the Dome Road piezometer site (see figure 1 for general location of site).
106°44'30" 106°41'30'

Belen area, New Mexico

U.S. Geological Survey digital data 

1:100,000 EXPLANATION 

 Piezometer 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 KILOMETER

Figure 6. Location of the Nancy Lopez piezometer site (see figure 1 for general location of site).

10
106°48' 106°45' 106°42'

rM^> >o^-y *

U.S. Geological Survey digital data 

1:100,000 EXPLANATION 

 Piezometer

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 MILE 

0 ol4 O.B\ KILOMETER

Figure 7. Location of the Phoenix Road piezometer site (see figure 1 for general location of site).

11
106°41'30" 106°38'30"

34° 

46'

34° 

43'

Las Maravillas subdivision

U.S. Geological Survey digital data 

1:100,000

EXPLANATION 

 Piezometer

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 MILE I i H i i h ' ' 

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 KILOMETER

Figure 8. Location of the Tome piezometer site (see figure 1 for general location of site).

12
DESCRIPTION OF PIEZOMETERS 

INSTALLED BY THE NEW MEXICO 

OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER

The nine piezometers installed at three sites by 

the NMOSE during 1997 are described in the following 

three sections, and site and construction information is 

listed in table 2. The USGS was not involved in the 

installation of these nine piezometers; thus the 

petrophysical logs, completion diagrams of the 

piezometers, and lithologic logs are not provided. Each 

site is described, and configuration diagrams of the 

piezometers are provided.

Lincoln School Site

The Lincoln School site is in the city of Rio 

Rancho in the southwest corner of the grounds of 

Lincoln Middle School (fig. 9). The piezometers are 

approximately 52 feet north of Parr Road and 40 feet 

east of Rosswood Drive. The Lincoln School site 

consists of three piezometers; the screened intervals are 

from 490 to 590, 810 to 830, and 1,200 to 1,240 feet 

below land surface. The configuration of the three 

piezometers is shown in figure 10. Site and 

construction information and initial water-level data 

are presented in table 2.

Matheson Park Site

The Matheson Park site is in the city of 

Albuquerque in the northeast corner of Matheson Park, 

south of Candelaria Road and approximately 8 feet east 

of Dorothy Street (fig. 11). The Matheson Park site 

consists of three piezometers; the screened intervals are 

from 600 to 700,1,020 to 1 T 040, and 1,460 to 1,500 feet 

below land surface. The configuration of the 

piezometers is shown in figure 10. Site and 

construction information and initial water-level data 

are listed in table 2.

Mesa del Sol Site

The Mesa del Sol site is in the city of 

Albuquerque approximately 4 miles south of the 

Albuquerque International Airport (fig. 12). The Mesa 

del Sol site consists of three piezometers; the screened 

intervals are from 420 to 520, 990 to 1,010. and 1,580 

to 1,620 feet below land surface. The configuration of 

the piezometers is shown in figure 10. Site and

construction information and initial water-level data 

are listed in table 2.

REFERENCES CITED

Bartolino, J.R., 1997, Middle Rio Grande Basin Study: U.S. 

Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS-034-97,4 p.

Chamberlin, R.M., Jackson, P.B., and Connell, S.D., 1999, 

Field logs of borehole drilled for monitoring well at 

Dome Road site, Canada de Cochiti Grant, Sandoval 

County, New Mexico: Socorro, New Mexico Bureau of 

Mines and Mineral Resources, 9 p.

Connell. S.D., Jackson, P.B., and Chamberlin. R.M., 1999, 

Field logs of boreholes for nested piezometers, Nancy 

Lopez site, Valencia County, New Mexico: Socorro, 

New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, 

23 p.

Hawley, J.W., and Haase, C.S , 1992, Hydrogeologic 

framework of the northern Albuquerque Basin: 

Socorro, New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral 

Resources Open-File Report 387, p. IX-7.

Jackson, P.B., and Connell, S.D., 1999, Field logs of

boreholes for nested piezometers, Tome site, Valencia 

County, New Mexico: Socorro, New Mexico Bureau of 

Mines and Mineral Resources, 23 p.

 2000a. Field logs of the Bernalillo Wastewater

Treatment Plant monitoring well site, Sandoval County, 

New Mexico: Socorro, New Mexico Bureau of Mines 

and Mineral Resources, 15 p. 

- 2000b, Field logs of the Phoenix Road monitoring

well site, Rio Rancho, Sandoval County, New Mexico: 

Socorro, New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral 

Resources, 19 p.

Kernodle, J.M., McAda, D.R, and Thorn, C.R., 1995,

Simulation of ground-water flow in the Albuquerque 

Basin, central New Mexico, 1901-1994, with 

projections to 2020: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 94-4251, 114 

p., 1 pi.

McAda, D.P., 1996, Plan of study to quantify the hydrologic 

relations between the Rio Grande and the Santa Fe 

Group aquifer system near Albuquerque, central New 

Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources 

Investigations Report 96-4006, 58 p.

Thorn, C.R., McAda, D.P, and Kernodle, J.M., 1993,

Geohydrologic framework and hydrologic conditions in 

the Albuquerque Basin, central New Mexico: U.S. 

Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations 

Report 93-4149, 106 p., 2 pis.

Tiedeman, C.R., Kernodle, J.M., and McAda, D.P., 1998, 

Application of nonlinear-regression methods to a 

ground-water flow model of the Albuquerque Basin, 

New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources 

Investigations Report 98-4172,90 p.

13
Table 2. Location, construction information, and initial water-level data for piezometers installed in the 

Middle Rio Grande Basin area by the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer during 1997

[-do--, ditto]

Site name and 

piezometer

Lincoln School(figure 9)

DeepMedium

Shallow

Matheson Park

(figure 11)

DeepMedium

Shallow

Mesa del Sol

(figure 12)

Deep

Medium

Shallow

U.S. Geological 

Survey site 

identifier

351515106410401351515106410402351515106410403350653106311601

350653106311602350653106311603

345758106364001345758106364002

345758106364003

Piezometer 

location Latitude

12N.02E.24.144 35°15'18"

-do- --do -do- do 

10N.04E.09.214 35°06'53"

 do- do 

-do- do 

09N.03E.34.231 34°57'58"

 do- do~

do do~

Landsurface 

elevation 

Longitude (feet)

106°41'07" 5,440

-do- -do~._do~ -do106°31'18" 5.565..do- "do--_do~ "do106°36'40" 5,300.-do- ~do~._do~ -doDate completed 09/10/97 -do- -do- 07/18/97 -do- -do- 06/20/97 -do- -doBore- hole depth (feet) 1,343 -do- -do- 1,630 ~do~ -do- 1,655 -do- -do- Screened interval of piezometer (feet) 1,200-1,240 810-830 490-590 1.460-1,500 1,020-1,040 600-700 1,580-1,620 990-1,010 420-520

Initial 

water

level

(feet 

below 

land 

surface)

493.79

493.29485.50

726.88720.11582.66

400.56

412.48406.76

Date 

water 

level 

measured

09/10/97

-Do-~Do07/18/97-Do--Do~

06/20/97

--DO--Do-
106°41'30" 106°39'30"

Rio Rancho

Golf and 

Country Club

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 

1:100,000 EXPLANATION 

 Piezometer 0.6 0.8 1 KILOMETER

Figure 9. Location of the Lincoln School piezometer site (see figure 1 for general location of site).

15
12-inch-diameter 

steel surface casing 12-inch-diameter 

steel surface casing

Lincoln School site Matheson Park site

12-inch-diameter 

steel surface casing

Mesa del Sol site

Figure 10. Configuration of the piezometers at the Lincoln School, Matheson Park, and Mesa del Sol sites.

16
106°32'30" 106°31

35° 

07' 

30"

QCO

06'

I

--I. -- 1 ___ LX- - _____ 1 , 1 __.

»' ''' ,"" " j 1 L -. , - "'

' _.- '

r> I-/ i f":

1 __ ; j ' _ _ J ____ I Comanche Blvd

---r ! ' ! i < '

- -_ . _ -' 'ill .- . 1 

. i \ --'' "; ". - -

» ', v

 ; -1 * / '_ -' i L - w 

__ ,..- 'r-'" v/' .' --" u-' K:~S-:V'-' J: -: .V., 1

 ' 1- ,' "

Candelaria Rd 1 1 '

L_ yl v - L_ " T ^ i '; __ ' ^ -/- . - \. j j

- '-^7 / 2 ; ,.' . "' ' ^-/ c 1 \ V X '" '"

_._ _ T '' '>..--' .' LU ^»x' A1^

j_ \^ ^ V. .^' " _, 'l ~' ~ .' Q/

- _ _ _ _ | Menaul Blvd / '

' 1

-T'X i ""' '"' " --- -i

 ^ ' y*" ~ '' . \ /

i--:-:!??^'^-^-

- ^ i ; , ' !

A6°/ Indian School Rd | &y ' i ' i - j '- _j" r - . , ,- '- J ^i

- L-. ... 1 C >

! .- -". L T--

1 ^ ~ ^'"f f' " L-.-.' : !

J.S. Geolog cal Survey digital data 0 0.2

: 100,000 I i ' i 

0 0.2 0.4

.-- -_- . I I

:fe- /"-4± "

' I -f ' J iS,

X / - ~~\ _ .

^/ ? [

p\^ - ' 5

1 I I ^

..£-- i n~*c " i

S S 1 «i 1 .3 i 1 , « 

o - 5 I a

'/35°06'53" 

^ ( 106-3T18" (

.^ Maihesen ''-" ""*" . 

_^ Pafk , , .- I _- ^

X A' r^0/ 

-/ ,-''V ^

" ^ " /

Woodland Ave «/ | 

^ I

/ -J- i

/ , I

I I ' ^^^b,

\ ' ' o

^-\\.-^~~~

i I i' ;

"~_' - ' .. L- L, L- \ ,- _ ' , T

-n-i 1 i i h0.4 0.6 0.8 1 MILE

0.6 0.8 1 KILOMETER

EXPLANATION 

 Piezometer

Figure 11. Location of the Matheson Park piezometer site (see figure 1 for general location of site).

17
106°37'30" 106°35'

International 

Airport ,J ' 

KIRTLAND 

--AIR 

FORCE 

BASE

U.S. Geological Survey digital data 

1:100,000 EXPLANATION 

 Piezometer 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 KILOMETERS

Figure 12. Location of the Mesa del Sol piezometer site (see figure 1 for general location of site).

18
PETROPHYSICAL LOGS, COMPLETION DIAGRAMS OF 

PIEZOMETERS, AND LITHOLOGIC LOGS

19
16-inch (16N) 

resistivit and

Spontaneous

potential Natural gamma fohm'mptpr^ (inches) (millivolts) (API units) (ohm-meters) (ohms)

15-50 10 0 200 0 200 90 110

Caliper potential Natural gamma [Ohm -mptpr<rt resistivity

UJ

o

CO 

Q

UJ 

CO

UJ

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Q_ 

UJ 

D

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

-Gamma.

Fk

0 100 200

64-inch

resistivity (R) Electrical 

(ohm-meters) conductivity (C) 

(millimhos/meter)

1,200

Figure 13A. Petrophysical logs, completion diagram of piezometers, and lithologic log for the Bernalillo site. 

20
0

Neutron porosity Temperature Piezometer Elevation

(Npor) (temp)°F completion 12-inch-diameter Lithology (feet above sea level)

o (percent) 100 eo 75 steel surface

LU

O

& 

DC

=>

100

200

300

400

Q 500

I

LU 

CO

tn

600

700

800

CL 

LU

Q 900

1,000

1,100

1,200

I I

o 100 0 60

Differential 

Density porosity temperature

(Dpor) (dT) 

(percent)

casing (56 feet)

(5,008 feet)

Granular 

bentonite 

to land 

surface

Bentonite chips 

Sand pack

Bentonite chips ~=~^^.

Granular bentonite FT^Ei^ZEE

Bentonite chips 

Sand pack

Bentonite chips

Total depth 

1,255 feet

m

S£=~?

~sS^,r2

Err^

^rr-'-w

 ;'7^^

CJ , /

=-^S^

-.-....{..{I

 ^-

=__-

. 

_^^-r^

 .-_...

 

- ~

=^=-

::::;:;;;::

::_"_"::_ ""

^i

:"~-_v_"_

= ==^

^EE

S

^<^t--

^

:-r-

"."."""."

& 

=^===;

=rm~:w:

__ _

4i-4^

 ." .-r-' --1-.

t"-s=--

:i=:~:

~.TT^

-^=ST=

 ... ._

 

__________

^n^

-====-

::~:::::::

rrjr::;:::

=

- _ _"_""_"_"_".".

 :==£==-

 ..... ._

II

^5- .C?ZK

Pebt

Sane

Silt

Clay

5,046 -]

4,946 -

4,846 -

4,746 -

4,646 -

4,546 -

4,446 -

4,346 -i

4,246 -

4,146 -

4,046 -

3,946 -

3,846 -

Pebble to boulder gravel

-s^ Ground-water level 

measured September 2,1999

Geology modified from 

Jackson and Connell (2000a)

Figure 13A. Petrophysical logs, completion diagram of piezometers, and lithologic log for the Bernalillo 

site-Concluded.

21
Sonic Spontaneous

(microseconds/ potential Natural gamma

foot) (millivolts) (AP| units)

250 50 -10 40 0 300 o

16-inch (16N) and 

64-inch (64N)

resistivity 

(ohm-meters)

Single-point

resistivity

(ohms)

200 50 150

50

250

LU

DC

=) 

CO

D

z

< 500

LU 

CO

111

111

750

111 

D

1,000

1,250

Sonic

\Temp

L Gamma

R

-16N

64N:

50

250

500

750

1,000

1,250

6 12 71 76 0 200 100 0

Temperature (temp) 64-inch Electrical

Caliper(Cal) (degrees) resistivity (R) conductivity (C)

(inches) (ohm-meters) (millimhos/meter)

Figure 13B. Petrophysical logs, completion diagram of piezometers, and lithologic log for the Dome Road site.

22
Average caliper

density

Averaged porosity (grams/cubic 

(percent) centimeter) 

0 50 1.5 2.5

T I I I I I I I T

Piezometer 

completion Lithology

Elevation 

(feet above sea level)

_ Npor

250

LU 

O

£

cc

=>

CO 

Q

g

LU 

CD

tD LU

0- 

LLJ 

Q

500

750

1,000

1,250

Dpor"

Averaged" 

porosity<

 p 8-inch-diameter 

II steel surface 

'J casing (52 feet)

*

I Cement/ 

bentonite 

to surface

(5,215 feet)

I Granular 

I bentonite

0 50 

Density porosity (Dpor)

and

neutron porosity (Npor) 

(percent)

h'-L.V'-

Total depth 

1,312 feet

I Bentonite 

(chips

J Sand pack

&>° ^^c °<fe

-:-fS -

st.l-a'S:

£/*-?

^ ^f^.'^o

^ o^f^-ey- ^..£,0^>£

^lie?^^^

C2.<?£=>-.

Bandelier Tuff (5,818)-, 

5,800 -

5,500 -

5.000 -

Minor 

normal 

fault (?)

Geology modified from 

Chamberlin, Jackson, 

andConnell (1999)

4,500 - 

Cobbles

Pebble to boulder gravel 

Sandstone pebbles 

f;V| Obsidian pebbles 

Sand

Silt/clay

5 Ground-water level 

measured October 9,1998

Figure 13B. Petrophysical logs, completion diagram of piezometers, and lithologic log for the Dome Road site-Concluded.

23
Caliper 

(inches)

-10

200

UJO

DC

ID 

W 

Q 400

1

UJ 

CO

tn

UJ

Q_

600

800

1,000

1,200

Spontaneous

potential

(millivolts)

16-inch (16N)

Natural gamma and 64-inch (64N) 

(API resistivity 

units) (ohm-meters)

200

TT

200

5

M M M IIL

500

Single-point

resistivity

(ohms)

o 120

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

Electrical

conductivity (C)

(millimhos/meter)

Figure 13C. Petrophysical logs, completion diagram of piezometers, and lithologic log for the Nancy Lopez site.

24
Neutron porosity

(Npor) 

(percent)

60

Piezometer 

completion

200

LLJ

^ 400

D

I

o

LU 600 

CO

tD

LU

CL 

LLJ 

Q

800

1,000

1,200

0 60

Density porosity

(Dpor) 

(percent)

12-inch-diameter 

steel surface 

casing (38 feet)

Cement/bentonite 

grout to surface

(4,793 feet)

Lithology

Elevation, in feet 

above sea level

5,000 |

Granular bentonite

Bentonite chips 

Sand pack 

Bentonite chips 

Sand pack 

Bentonite chips

Granular bentonite

Sand pack

Total depth 

1,201 feet

Ground surface 

4,925 feet _

4,500 

Gravel 4000 _^

Silty sand 

and gravel

Silty clay 

Sand

Clay

Ground-water level 

measured in deep 

piezometer 

October 2, 1998

Geology modified from 

Connell, Jackson, and 

Chamberlin(1999)

3,500 '

Figure 13C. Petrophysical logs, completion diagram of piezometers, and lithologic log for the Nancy 

Lopez site-Concluded.

25
16-inch (16N) and

Sonic Spontaneous 64-inch (64N) Single-point 

(milliseconds/ potential Natural gamma resistivity resistivity 

foot) (millivolts) (API units) (ohm-meters) (ohms)

100 

o

_

tr

LU

LU 

111

200

400

600 -

800

I 1,000

D_ 

LJJ 

Q

1,200

1,400

1,600

~

o -10 225

I I

300 75 150

0 200 300 0

64-inch Electrical 

resistivity (R) conductivity (C) 

(ohm-meters) (millimhos/ 

meter)

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

Figure 13D. Petrophysical logs, completion diagram of piezometers, and lithologic log for 

the Phoenix Road site.

26
Neutron porosity

(Npor) 

(percent)

200

400

m eoo

_-1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

Piezometer 

completion

Elevation, in feet 

Lithology above sea level

rn 8-inch-diameter 

surface casing 

(80 feet)

.i Granular 

bentonite 

to land 

surface

(4,966 feet)

Sand pack

Total depth 

1,685 feet

6,150 |

5,950-

5,750 

5,550 

5,350 

5,150 

4,950 

4,750-

_ 4,550 

i^w

Pebble to boulder gravel

Sand

Silt/clay

-^ Ground-water level measured 

November 24, 1999

Geology modified from 

Jackson and Connell (2000b)

Figure 13D. Petrophysical logs, completion diagram of piezometers, and lithologic log for 

the Phoenix Road site-Concluded.

27
Sonic

(microseconds/ 

foot)

Spontaneous

potential

(millivolts)

100 o 50 0

Natural gamma 

(API units)

16-inch (16N) and 

64-inch (64N)

resistivity 

(ohm-meters)

Single-point

resistivity

(ohms)

200 o 200 65 125

1,200

Caliper (Cal) 

(inches)

Electrical

conductivity (C)

(millimhos/meter)

200

400

600

1,000

1,200

Figure 13E. Petrophysical logs, completion diagram of piezometers, and lithologic log for the Tome site.

28
Neutron porosity 

(Npor) (percent)

Piezometer 

completion

200

600

Dpor

I Npor

'800

1,000

1,200 i i i i i-e

12-inch-diameter 

surface casing 

(40 feet)

Cement/ 

bentonite 

to surface

4,805 feet)

Sand pack

pii ^Bentonite chips

Granular bentonite

Bentonite chips

Sand pack 

Bentonite chips

Granular bentonite

Bentonite chips 

Sand pack

Total depth 1,200 feet

Density porosity 

(Dpor) (percent)

Elevation, in feet 

Lithology above sea level

5,000 |

4,500 

4,000 

In Gravel

^^2]

=^| Silty sand 

¥3 and gravel

Sand

|^| Silty clay

Geology modified 

from Jackson and 

Connell(1999)

-^- Ground-water level measured 

in deep piezometer 

August 21, 1998

Figure 13E. Petrophysical logs, completion diagram of piezometers, and lithologic log for the Tome site-Concluded.

29

 d U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 2001 673-092 / 54009 Region No. 8