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Santa Fe Group Deep Fossil Aquifer — Albuquerque Basin

Bernalillo, New Mexico, USA

Deep Santa Fe Group aquifer beneath the Albuquerque Basin. USGS Middle Rio Grande Basin study confirmed that deep sections contain fossil water with ages of 10,000-30,000 years. Albuquerque's water supply shifted to surface water from the San Juan-Chama project to reduce fossil water depletion.

80Grade A
High Value
Private
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Overview

Deep Santa Fe Group aquifer beneath the Albuquerque Basin. USGS Middle Rio Grande Basin study confirmed that deep sections contain fossil water with ages of 10,000-30,000 years. Albuquerque's water supply shifted to surface water from the San Juan-Chama project to reduce fossil water depletion.

Additional Notes

Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority. Surface water diversification reduced fossil water pumping.

Water Source Data

Asset TypeFossil Water
Flow Rate500 GPM
Seasonal FlowNo (perennial)
Depth1,500 ft

Water Intelligence Score Breakdown

Total: 80/100
Flow RateGeologicalLegal RightsSustainabilityRarity
Flow Rate
Yield & consistency
22/25
Geological
Formation quality
15/20
Legal Rights
Rights clarity
18/20
Sustainability
Long-term viability
10/20
Rarity
Scarcity premium
15/15

Risk Assessment

Overall: High(58/100)
Dry-up Risk
High
30/40

Source depletion probability

LowCritical
Legal Risk
High
18/35

Rights & regulatory exposure

LowCritical
Environmental
Medium
10/25

Contamination & ecosystem risk

LowCritical

Geological Intelligence

Formation & aquifer context
Rock Type
Unconsolidated
Sand and gravel

High porosity — shallow, rechargeable aquifer

Aquifer Type
Fossil
fossil

Ancient water, no modern recharge — non-renewable on human timescales

Formation
Santa Fe Group
Basin
—
Elevation
—
Region
—

Land Details

Private
Acreage
—
Asking Price
Not listed
Buildable
Unknown
Zoning
—
Parcel ID
—

Water Rights

Unverified

Prior Appropriation

First in time, first in right

Rights are established by historical beneficial use. Senior rights holders receive full allocation before junior holders, regardless of land ownership.

  • Seniority date determines priority order
  • Requires continuous beneficial use
  • Can be severed from land and transferred
  • "Use it or lose it" — abandonment risk
Common in western US states (CO, MT, WY, ID, NV, UT, AZ, NM, OR, WA, CA)• Asset location: New Mexico

Disclaimer: Water rights information is provided for research and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rights status, seniority, transferability, and enforceability vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Always consult a licensed water rights attorney and verify status with the relevant state water resources agency before any acquisition or use decision.

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Location

Latitude35.08
Longitude-106.65
State/ProvinceNew Mexico
CountyBernalillo
CountryUSA
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Data Sources & Attribution

Updated Apr 4, 2026
Primary Source
hi3_fossil_water_research

Data is sourced from public and authoritative providers. Hi3 Water aggregates, normalizes, and scores records but does not assert ownership of underlying source data. Always verify critical details with the primary source before any decision.

Data Quality

Silver Quality
Gold = Field verified + lab tested
Silver = Reported + partial verification
Bronze = User reported
Unverified = Pending review

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