Aquifers in the Rio Chama and Rio Gallina Watersheds are considered to be locally significant, and even seasonal.
Availability of groundwater aids water banking, sparing surface water when needs downstream exceed supplies.
Temptations to developing groundwater further in the Rio Chama Watershed must be tempered with the realization that 90% of surface water already goes downstream to meet drinking and irrigation water needs of others.
Certain radioisotope logging techniques, even for water wells, probably compromise water quality (slides, infra ).