The Carbonate Aquifer of the Central Roswell Basin: Recharge Estimation by Numerical Modeling

The flow of groundwater in the Roswell, New Mexico, Artesian Basin has been studied since the earLy 1900’s and varied ideas have been proposed to explain different aspects of the groundwater flow system. The purpose of the present study was to delineate the spatial distribution and source, or sources, of recharge to the carbonate aquifer of the central Roswell Basin. A computer model was used to simulate groundwater flow in the carbonate aquifer beneath and west of Roswell and in the Glorieta Sandstone and Yeso Formation west of the carbonate aquifer. The resulting spatial distribution of recharge strongly indicates that a major component of recharge to the carbonate aquifer is derived from the upward leakage of water from the underlying formations. The model results agree with tritium analyses which indicate that much of the water in the carbonate aquifer is relatively old.

Project Numbers: B-059-NMEX, 1423643, 1345638.