Simulation of Groundwater Flow in the Rincon Valley Area and Mesilla Basin, New Mexico and Texas

Abstract

A groundwater flow model was constructed for the Rincon Valley area and Mesilla Basin. The system is dominated by the complex interaction of the Rio Grande, canals, laterals, and drains. The primary purposes of the model were to assess the effect of municipal and industrial pumping on the Rio Grande and to evaluate the effect of nonirrigation releases from Caballo Reservoir on the water budget. In addition, the model will eventually be linked to a surface water model (BESTSM) being utilized to evaluate water supply alternatives for El Paso, Texas. Stress periods were specified on a seasonal basis, an irrigation season from March through October and a non-irrigation season from November through February. Analysis of model output indicates that pumping may decrease Rio Grande flows, non-irrigation season releases do not alter the water budget significantly, and that recharge and discharge from aquifer storage are strongly related to the season.