Simulation of the regional geohydrology of the Tesuque aquifer system near Santa Fe, New Mexico

Declining groundwater levels resulting from groundwater withdrawals in the Santa Fe, New Mexico, area have caused concern about the future availability of water in the Tesuque aquifer system. This report describes the geohydrology of the Tesuque aquifer system in the Santa Fe area and presents a three-dimensional regional groundwater flow model which assesses the effects of existing and possible future groundwater withdrawals on the regional aquifer system. The model was calibrated using simulations of the predevelopment steady-state condition and the 1947-82 historical period. The response of the aquifer to two scenarios of future groundwater withdrawals from 1983 to 2020 was simulated. (USGS)