Water quality in the vicinity of Fenton Hill, 1979. Progress report

Abstract

Water quality data were collected from established surface and ground water stations and from ponds and pond discharges at the Fenton Hill Site located in the Jemez Mountains as part of a continuing program of environmental studies. There have been slight variations in the chemical quality of water from surface and ground water locations; however, these variations are within normal seasonal fluctuations. Water in the ponds is highly mineralized because of drilling operations and circulation tests at the site. Water quality in the ponds deteriorates further as it is reused. Most notable increases were in sulfates and total dissolved solids (TDS) in 1979. Discharge and overflow from the ponds infiltrates into the alluvium of the dry canyon within 300 m below the ponds. Monitoring of surface water and spring discharge downgradient from the ponds in the release area failed to detect any effects from release of water from the ponds. Analyses of water from the supply well at the site indicated metallic and nonmetallic ions were below the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and State of New Mexico standards or criteria for domestic or municipal uses.