Infiltration and Evapotranspiration within the Albuquerque, New Mexico Area with a Section on Historical Water-Resource Trends during the 1954-80's Period of Urban Growth

摘要

Since 1950, the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has more than tripled in population, growing from 96,815 inhabitants in 1950 (U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 1952) to 350,575 inhabitants in 1984 (City of Albuquerque Planning Division, 1986). The City of Albuquerque Planning Division (1986) compiled statistics projecting population growth for Albuquerque and the surrounding metropolitan area, citing a population of 404,079 in 1980, with a projected population of 506,000 by 1990. Managers and planners need current and historical information on water resources in order to efficiently use these resources for a rapidly expanding population. To provide the types of planning information needed, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Mexico State Engineer Office and the Public Works Department of the City of Albuquerque, in 1983 began a study of precipitation, infiltration, and evapotranspiration characteristics in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. The study included an evaluation of the historical changes in water resources during the 1954-80's period of urban growth. The report describes and quantifies the processes of infiltration and evapotranspiration in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. The report also describes and quantifies historical changes in precipitation, ground-water withdrawals, water levels in wells, and stream discharge.