Long-range plans for hydrologic investigations in New Mexico

Objectives of the hydrologic-data-collection projects presented in this report include continuing to identify future data needs; conducting an analysis of the water-quality, ground-water, and surface-water observation networks; and entering all available current and historical hydrologic data into the U.S. Geological Survey Water Data Storage and Retrieval System (WATSTORE). Objectives of areal-appraisal studies include evaluating the water resources in the Gallup-Grants-Zuni-Acoma Sag area and on the eastern flank of the Sandi and Manzano Mountains in Bernalillo County. Potential projects for basin assessments include quantifying the ground-water/surface-water relationships on rivers with flows governed by compacts and an investigation of the water resources of the Estancia Basin. Projects that will assist in the evaluation of energy-related activities include describing the effects of resaturation of coal mines and of milling operations on the quality and quantity of ground and surface water. Activities that need to be undertaken to assist in addressing waste-disposal problems include the evaluation of the hydrologic factors influencing the feasibility of cleanup at the Albuquerque South Valley ' superfund ' site and the establishment of a monitoring network at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant project near Carlsbad. Scientific methods that need to be developed include (1) the testing of analytical techniques for estimating site-specific conditions with the results of digital hydrologic models, and (2) the determination of the influence of recharge from ephemeral streams on alluvial aquifers. (USGS)