Surface and Groundwater Resources Assessment

Water Level Map With Surface Basins and Subbasins

New Mexico has identified 12 river basins that include 18 subbasins as water resource assessment areas. Except where a river basin is subdivided, all of these boundaries are drainage divides. Surface water flows toward either the main stream or a central playa lake in a subbasin without a river.

Contours depict the generalized, predevelopment water table. In most areas of New Mexico, the shallow, often stream-connected water table aquifer is the most commonly developed groundwater source. This map portrays water levels before significant groundwater pumping occurred.

Groundwater Models

New Mexico has developed computer groundwater flow models for selected aquifers. Each model is a continuing collaborative effort between the state engineer, U.S. Geological Survey, and other hydrologists. These flow models are crucial in defining critical areas for well drilling restrictions, analyzing development impacts to existing water resources, and predicting long-term benefits/problems to water use policy changes.