Mesilla / Conejos-Médanos Basin: U.S.-Mexico transboundary water resources and research needs

Andrew J. Robertson; Anne-Marie Matherne; Jeff D. Pepin; Andre B. Ritchie; Donald S. Sweetkind; Andrew Teeple; Alfredo Granados Olivas; Ana Cristina García Vásquez; Kenneth C. Carroll; Erek H. Fuchs; Amy E. Galanter

doi:10.3390/w14020134

Mesilla / Conejos-Médanos Basin: U.S.-Mexico transboundary water resources and research needs

Water

By: Andrew J. Robertson, Anne-Marie Matherne, Jeff D. Pepin, Andre B. Ritchie, Donald S. Sweetkind, Andrew Teeple, Alfredo Granados Olivas, Ana Cristina García Vásquez, Kenneth C. Carroll, Erek H. Fuchs, and Amy E. Galanter

https://doi.org/10.3390/w14020134

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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.

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Additional publication details
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
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
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page