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.
Highlights
As in many arid regions, increasing water demand due to increasing population and agricultural uses within the Mesilla/Conejos-Médanos Basin (Basin), combined with multi-year drought conditions [1], has resulted in diminished surface-water supplies and increased reliance on groundwater withdrawals
The amount of recoverable fresh or slightly brackish water stored in the Conejos-Médanos portion of the Basin is estimated to be about 69,100 hm3
Rio Grande rift, a tectonic feature that is characterized by generally north-south-trending structural extensional basins
Summary
As in many arid regions, increasing water demand due to increasing population and agricultural uses within the Mesilla/Conejos-Médanos Basin (Basin), combined with multi-year drought conditions [1], has resulted in diminished surface-water supplies and increased reliance on groundwater withdrawals. The Rio Grande, which flows through the northeastern portion of the Basin (Figure 1), along with groundwater, provides water for the residents and industries of Las Cruces, New Mexico; El Paso, Texas; and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, along with numerous smaller communities. Water 2022, 14, 134 northeastern portion of the Basin (Figure 1), along with groundwater, provides water for the residents and industries of Las Cruces, New Mexico; El Paso, Texas; and Ciudad Juáof 36 rez, Chihuahua, along with numerous smaller communities. The Basin is home to one of the largest agricultural producing regions in the state of New Mexico [2]. The high demands on the water resources, coupled with decades of reduced streamflow, are resulting agricultural producing regions in the state of New Mexico [2]. The New Mexico Universities Working Group on Wawater resources, coupled with decades of reduced streamflow, are resulting in reduced ter Supply Vulnerabilities reports Universities that the groundwater resources in theSupply
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