NEW MEXICO’S COLLABORATIVE GROUNDWATER MONITORING NETWORK

Climate change in the southwestern US is expected to include warmer temperatures leading to reduction to surface water resources. New Mexico is already one of the states with the least amount of land surface covered by water. According to water use reports, surface water accounts for approximately 55% of the total water used in the state. In anticipation of a future of greater dependence on groundwater resources, both fresh and brackish, the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources is taking steps to address the need for groundwater data.

The Aquifer Mapping Program, with funding from Healy Foundation, has initiated a groundwater monitoring project to track changes to New Mexico’s aquifers by collecting and compiling groundwater level data. Our goal is to broaden coverage and frequency of groundwater level monitoring across the state, leveraging community collaboration. These data serve as the early warning system as we address climate change in an arid state, providing proactive rather than reactive data, to forecast water outages especially in rural communities with limited alternative water resources.

Data are collected from communities, urban and rural water systems, and individuals with instruments and training to collect groundwater level measurements. We provide free training through various conferences and one-on-one site visits. Data are also collected by manual measurements using a variety of instruments, as well as continuous data recorders (pressure and acoustic) provided for free to well owners or water systems in key locations. Data are compiled and maintained in publicly accessible state-run enterprise databases and served on interactive maps for easy access to researchers, the public, and, importantly, to well owners.

The impact of data collection and compilation services is being realized as well owners and water system operators are noticing near-real time groundwater changes in seasons of heavy pumping, impacts of land use change, and recognizing seasons of recharge to their aquifer. State agencies have specifically identified the great need for these data in recent state water management plans. Groundwater level monitoring in a large hydrogeologically complex state is an effort that requires commitment and consistent funding to maintain, but the benefits are numerous.