Hydrogeology of the Socorro and La Jencia Basins, Socorro County, New Mexico
— Scott K. Anderholm

The Socorro and La Jencia Basins in central New Mexico were studied to get a better understanding of the hydrogeology of two adjacent alluvial basins along the Rio Grande rift. These two basins each have some unique characteristics. The Socorro Basin has flow-through drain- age and is hydraulically connected to other basins in the rift area by both the Rio Grande and ground-water flow through alluvial sediments. The La Jencia Basin has no perennial stream drainage and is separated from the Socorro Basin by the Socorro Peak—Lemitar Mountains intergraben horst. The horst acts as a hydraulic barrier that restricts ground- water flow between basins.

The purpose of this report is to describe the hydrogeology of the Socorro and La Jencia Basins. Existing hydrologic data, especially ground-water-quality data, are used to interpret the flow systems of the area. This study conceptualizes the connection between the Socorro, Peak Known Geothermal Resource Area and the flow systems of the Socorro and La Jencia Basins.