Hydrogeology of the Carrizozo Region

The Carrizozo Soil and Water Conservation District (CSWCD), located in New Mexico’s northern Chihuahuan Desert, is an arid region with no perennial rivers. As a result, groundwater is the sole source of water for the region’s agricultural, commercial, and domestic users. To better understand and protect these vital groundwater resources, the CSWCD funded this research to conduct an initial hydrogeologic inventory and analysis of existing groundwater information.

Data for this study was compiled from various sources, including drilling logs, pump tests, geologic maps, geochemical data from state and federal databases, geophysical records from deep wells, and other published research. Based on this information, the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources developed a hydrogeologic framework for the region. Additionally, a monitoring network of 11 wells was established to measure future groundwater levels and track changes over time.

 

-Phase One of the study can be found HERE