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Questa baseline and pre-mining ground-water quality investigation. 3. Historical ground-water quality for the Red River Valley, New Mexico

Water-Resources Investigations Report 2003-4186
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri034186

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Abstract

Historical ground-water quality data for 100 wells in the Red River Valley between the U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station (08265000), near Questa, and Placer Creek east of the town of Red River, New Mexico, were compiled and reviewed. The tabulation included 608 water-quality records from 23 sources entered into an electronic database. Groundwater quality data were first collected at the Red River wastewater-treatment facility in 1982. Most analyses, however, were obtained between 1994 and 2002, even though the first wells were developed in 1962. The data were evaluated by considering (a) temporal consistency, (b) quality of sampling methods, (c) charge imbalance, and (d) replicate analyses. Analyses that qualified on the basis of these criteria were modeled to obtain saturation indices for gypsum, calcite, fluorite, gibbsite, manganite, and rhodocrosite. Plots created from the data illustrate that water chemistry in the Red River Valley is predominantly controlled by calcite dissolution, congruent gypsum dissolution, and pyrite oxidation.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Questa baseline and pre-mining ground-water quality investigation. 3. Historical ground-water quality for the Red River Valley, New Mexico
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 2003-4186
DOI 10.3133/wri034186
Year Published 2003
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) Branch of Regional Research-Central Region, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
Description 49 p.
Country United States
State New Mexico
County Taos County
Other Geospatial Red River valley
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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