For the past several decades, researchers have worked to understand the hydrogeologic system (groundwater and surface water) along the RIO grande in taos county, new mexico, especially to accurately…

This Cooperative Agreement award from the Bureau of Land Management's Aquatic Resources Management program (CFDA 15.244) provides $879,053.98 to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology to conduct a multi-year study of the hydrogeologic system along the Rio Grande in Taos County, New Mexico. The primary activities include compiling and synthesizing previous research, conducting field measurements of river gains/losses and spring flows, and performing geochemical analyses. The project aims to provide a comprehensive regional understanding of the groundwater and surface water interactions supporting the Rio Grande and associated ecosystems within the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. The anticipated deliverables include peer-reviewed publications and data products to support water management and conservation efforts for aquatic habitats and species in the region.

For the past several decades, researchers have worked to understand the hydrogeologic system (groundwater and surface water) along the RIO grande in taos county, new mexico, especially to accurately estimate the baseflow river conditions and flow contributions from tributaries springs. In this project, we seek to synthesize numerous previous works, datasets, reports and interpretations from published and unpublished sources to provide a complete analysis of the springs and river flows currently and historically. Additionally, we aim to evaluate seasonal variation in these flows in order to support restoration and maintenance of the water resources and aquatic habitats. The primary activities of this project, which will span up to 5 years, will be to 1) compile and synthesize previous work and data, 2) provide several measurements of gains losses along the RIO grande, 3) conduct spring surveys to estimate spring flow, 4) collect geochemical sampling and environmental tracer analyses, and ultimately put historic and new data together to provide a regional overview of the hydrogeologic system connected with and supporting the RIO grande and springs within the RIO grande DEL norte national monument. This proposal is an application for a master agreement. Milestones and deliverables will be defined in subsequent task agreement submittals. Potential deliverables of this multiyear project would include a final peer reviewed publication or several publications with associated data. Specific yearly deliverables will be defined within a task agreement proposal provided at the beginning of each year and phase of the project. Beneficiaries of this project largely focus around conservation and restoration needs for ecosystems, habitat, and populations of non-human aquatic species within and around the RIO grande DEL norte national monument. Additional beneficiaries also include water management agencies and water users along the RIO grande in taos county, by providing more detailed understanding of the groundwater that supports the river, springs, ecosystems along the river, as well as downstream water users. The new mexico bureau of geology and mineral resources (nmbgmr) is the state geologic survey and has been working on hydrogeologic assessments in new mexico for several decades, under the aquifer mapping program. This program has years of previous experience working in north central new mexico along the RIO grande and surrounding plateau regions. Personnel on this project would include project manager and staff hydrogeologists with experience working on northern new mexicos volcanic terrain and hydrologic complexities. The project would include support from data manager, publications staff, and an experienced field technician. Several staff hydrogeologist positions are currently vacant, but are expected to be hired in the next 6-12 months, including a hydrogeologist and an expected hydrology PHD student