Mesilla / Conejos-Médanos Basin: U.S.-Mexico transboundary water resources and research needs
Water
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- Data Release: USGS data release - Estimated groundwater elevations and standard errors from the application of kriging to median groundwater elevation data from 2010 in the Mesilla/Conejos-Medanos Basin, United States and Mexico
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Abstract
Synthesizing binational data to characterize shared water resources is critical to informing binational management. This work uses binational hydrogeology and water resource data in the Mesilla/Conejos-Médanos Basin (Basin) to describe the hydrologic conceptual model and identify potential research that could help inform sustainable management. The Basin aquifer is primarily composed of continuous basin-fill Santa Fe Group sediments, allowing for transboundary throughflow. Groundwater flow, however, may be partially or fully restricted by intrabasin uplifts and limited recharge. The shallow groundwater in the Rio Grande alluvium receives recharge from the Rio Grande and responds to changes in water supply and demand. About 11% of Rio Grande alluvial groundwater volume is recharged annually, an amount that is less than recent withdrawals. Potentially recoverable fresh to slightly brackish groundwater was estimated at 82,600 cubic hectometers in the U.S. portion of the Basin and 69,100 cubic hectometers in the Mexican portion. Alluvial groundwater geochemistry is governed by the evaporative concentration of the Rio Grande and agricultural diversions, whereas deeper groundwater geochemistry is governed by mixing and geochemical processes. Continued refinements to storage estimates, the water budget, and deep groundwater extent and geochemistry can improve estimates of sustainable use and inform alternative water sources.
Suggested Citation
Robertson, A.J., Matherne, A., Pepin, J.D., Ritchie, A., Sweetkind, D., Teeple, A., Granados Olivas, A., Garcia Vasquez, A.C., Carroll, K.C., Fuchs, E.H., Galanter, A.E., 2022, Mesilla / Conejos-Médanos Basin: U.S.-Mexico transboundary water resources and research needs: Water, v. 14, no. 2, p. 134-170, https://doi.org/10.3390/w14020134.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Mesilla / Conejos-Médanos Basin: U.S.-Mexico transboundary water resources and research needs |
| Series title | Water |
| DOI | 10.3390/w14020134 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Publication Date | January 06, 2022 |
| Year Published | 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | MDPI |
| Contributing office(s) | Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center |
| Description | 37 p. |
| First page | 134 |
| Last page | 170 |
| Country | Mexico, United States |
| Other Geospatial | Mesilla/Conejos-Médanos Basin |