THE NEW MEXICO GEOLOGIC MAPPING AND AQUIFER MAPPING PROGRAMS: MEETING NEW MEXICO'S 21st CENTURY RESOURCE CHALLENGES

The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources Geologic Mapping Program recently completed its 16^th year of geologic mapping under the STATEMAP component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping. Our geologic mapping priorities are set by a 45 member STATEMAP Advisory Committee comprised of hydrologists, geologists, and planners from state, local, federal, tribal, and private agencies. This committee helps steer the mapping program to address some of the state’s most pressing societal needs, including concerns about water quality, water availability, geologic hazards, mineral resources, transportation, and environmental problems.

The management and conservation of our water resources remain top priorities for New Mexico. In many parts of the state, regional aquifers and surface waters are being depleted, local ground water levels are declining, and agricultural districts are concerned about adequate irrigation water. A thorough understanding of the geologic and hydrologic framework of our aquifers should form the basis for sound water policy and regulation.

The Aquifer Mapping Program synthesizes map products from our ongoing geologic mapping program with geophysical, hydrologic, chemical, field, and laboratory analyses to characterize the quantity, quality, and sustainability of ground water resources. Data gathered improves our understanding of the geologic framework of aquifers, their hydrologic characteristics, water levels in the aquifers and how they change over time, and the level of natural contaminants that affect the quality of ground water. The synergy between geologic mapping and aquifer mapping provides invaluable information on the distribution, movement, quality, and quantity of our ground water resources.

The Española basin provides a case study showing combined efforts of the geologic and aquifer mapping programs, integrating multiple geospatial datasets to better understand the hydrogeology. Geologic, hydrologic, geophysical and geochemical properties have been combined to characterize basin architecture, structure and hydrologic nature. The combined studies in the Española basin and other areas of New Mexico help local policy makers and regulators better manage limited and often endangered resources.