Recharged groundwater flows through formations, resurfaces, and dries in the San Juan Basin, as shown.
This explains salinity in the San Juan Basin to the west not vetted in the glacial melt-flushed Rio Chama Watershed.
The oil and gas development in the San Juan Basin “so far” has mostly threatened water quality flowing westerly.
Slides, infra, show erosion and loss of Fruitland contact with Pictured Cliffs Sandstone near the Continental Divide.
Complete removal of the Kirtland and Fruitland formations is documented, infra, in most of the Rio Chama Watershed.
Targeting the Dakota Sandstone jeopardizes the drinking-water-bearing Morrison Formation of the Chama Platform.