Hydrology of Eagle Creek Basin and Effects of Groundwater Pumping on Streamflow, 1969-2009

摘要

This report describes the hydrology of the Eagle Creek Basin above the USGS streamflow-gaging station Eagle Creek below South Fork near Alto, New Mexico (USGS gage no. 08387600; hereafter referred to as the Eagle Creek gaging station), with an emphasis on the North Fork in the vicinity of the North Fork well field, and effects of groundwater pumping on streamflow. A long-term water balance is constructed for the study area to provide estimates of the volume of groundwater and surface water discharging from the basin. Results of field studies conducted during 2007 through 2009 are reported and discussed with respect to the potential interaction of groundwater and surface water with pumping from the North Fork wells. Fluctuations in groundwater levels in the area adjacent to the North Fork wells and seasonal water-quality data are incorporated with the streamflow record to develop a conceptual model of surface-water and groundwater hydrology for Eagle Creek Basin. Long-term discharge records from the Eagle Creek gaging station are used to examine discharge patterns at Eagle Creek before and after installation of the North Fork wells.