San Jose Formation Hydrostratigraphy and Groundwater Conditions in the Vicinity of Lindrith, New Mexico
— T. Neil Blandford, Christopher Wolf, William Casadevall, Farag Botros, and Kenneth Calhoun

This manuscript summarizes hydrogeologic analysis conducted for the saturated portions of the San Jose Formation in the
vicinity of Lindrith, New Mexico. The majority of the analysis focused on the identification and evaluation of hydrostratigraphic units within
a region of approximately 840 km2 centered about Apache Ranch, located west of Lindrith. The targeted water supply for a potential irrigation
project at the ranch is approximately 300 to 425 m below ground surface, which generally corresponds to the Cuba Mesa Member of the
San Jose Formation. As part of the analysis, we constructed a detailed base of San Jose Formation (top of Nacimiento Formation) map, identified
four hydrostratigraphic units within the San Jose Formation, and constructed an aquifer thickness map for hydrostratigraphic Unit 4,
which consists primarily of the Cuba Mesa Member. We mapped the base of the San Jose Formation and identified hydrostratigraphic units
based on analysis of more than 350 geophysical logs from oil and gas wells and 85 water well driller’s logs. We also developed water-level
surface maps for the Lindrith region and the entire extent of the San Jose Formation in New Mexico, and identified differences in hydraulic
head between shallower and deeper portions of the San Jose Formation.
Our results indicated that the sand units of the Cuba Mesa Member appear favorable for the completion of wells with sufficient capacity
for uses such as irrigation. Most wells in the region have low reported capacity because they are completed in shallower portions of the San
Jose Formation that are characterized by higher proportions of shale or mudstone than those found in the Cuba Mesa Member. Due to the
existence of extensive shale and mudstone in the shallower portions of the San Jose Formation, and to a lesser extent within the Cuba Mesa
Member, the effects of groundwater pumping at depth will be limited at shallow wells.