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IntroductionIn the summer of 1948 the United States Bureau of Reclamation requested that the U.S. Geological Survey make a study of quality of ground water in the Tucumcari Irrigation District. It was especially desired to learn the effects of irrigation seepage on the chemical character of water obtained from certain wells, to the extent that these effects could be determined. Collection and Analysis of Samples Water samples were collected by the Bureau of Reclamation from six of the observation wells put down by the Bureau within the project area, from the surface water distribution system of the project area at 20 points, and from TO privately owned voila in the project area. The samples were analysed in the Albuquerque laboratory of the Geological Survey under the direction of J. D. Nem, District Chemist. The analyses were made by L. 8. Wishes. Analytical methods were those commoaly used duality of water, Tucumcari, by Hem and Hughes...2 by the Geological Survey.* The analyses of these 96 samples are given in tables 1 to 3 of this report. Quality of Water in Observation Wells The Bureau of Reclamation has installed a network of observation or "drainage" wells in the project area. These wells were constructed by boring holes approximately 12 feet deep. In each hole was placed a section of 2-inch pipe, long enough to protrude • few feet above the ground surface, and perforated is the bottom several feet. Coarse gravel was then packed about the perforated end of the pipe and the hole was back-filled with earth and tamped to prevent seepage of surface water into the hole. Most of these wells were entirely above the water table in the summer of 1948 and contained no water. The wells which did contain water were sampled by bailing with a short section of 1-inch pipe, plugged at one end. The analyses of these samples are contained in table 1. All the observation wells sampled are near the project canals and would be expected to show water similar in chemical character to the water in the canals. However, the analyses in table 1 show considerable differences. I is possible that surface runoff from rainfall may have entered some of the wells and affected the quality of the water. The method of sampling did not permit the removal of water standing in contact

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The Sabine River basin has an abundant supply .of surface water of excellent quality. The basin area of 9,700 square miles receives an average of about 48 inches of rainfall per year, of which about 13 inches flows to the Gulf of Mexico. Variations in the chemical quality of the surface waters in the Sabine River basin are caused principally by areal differences in geology and runoff; but industrial influences, particularly the disposal of oilfield brines, affect the quality in limited areas. Water having the least dissolved solids is found in the lower part of the basin, where rainfall is greatest. Water having higher values of hardness are found in the area of Cretaceous limestone, chalk, and marl in the northwestern part of the basin. Chloride concentrations are generally low except where streams are polluted by oilfield brines and localized natural saline inflow. Existing reservoirs in the basin contain water of excellent quality, and water to be stored in proposed reservoirs should be excellent.