Data release of Three-Dimensional Hydrogeologic Framework Model of the Rio Grande Transboundary Region of New Mexico and Texas, USA and Northern Chihuahua, Mexico

This digital dataset represents the three-dimensional hydrogeologic framework for the Rio Grande Transboundary region of New Mexico, Texas, USA, and Northern Chihuahua, Mexico. The data define the elevation, thickness, extent, and character of the principal hydrostratigraphic units of the region, and faults and igneous intrusive dikes that cut these units. The digital data describe the following five hydrostratigraphic units: RC, river channel alluvium; three informal subdivisions of the Santa Fe Group (USF, Upper Santa Fe Group; MSF, Middle Santa Fe Group; LSF, Lower Santa Fe Group); and BSMT, which includes all pre-Santa Fe Group rocks (basement). All units except BSMT (RC, USF, MSF, LSF) are split into two subunits. In each case, the designation 1 (e.g., USF1) indicates the UPPER subunit and the designation 2 (e.g., USF2) indicates the LOWER subunit. Most of the three-dimensional hydrogeologic framework data are contained within a single polygon feature class Frmwk_cells, which contains a mesh of polygons that represent model cells that have multiple attributes including X, Y, elevation and thickness of each hydrostratigraphic unit or subunit, and codes that represent sedimentary facies for each hydrostratigraphic subunit. The spatial extent of RC, USF, MSF, and LSF are provided as separate polygon feature classes. Faults and igneous intrusive dikes are provided as separate line features classes. This digital dataset was created as part of a U.S. Geological Survey study, done in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, to be used as the digital hydrogeologic input data for numerical simulation of the groundwater system of the Rio Grande transboundary region of New Mexico, Texas, USA and Northern Chihuahua, Mexico. These data are intended as the digital hydrogeologic input for numerical simulation of the groundwater system. Elevation, thickness, and extent of the hydrostratigraphic units define the geohydrologic layering of the digital framework model. Codes that represent sedimentary facies may be used as a lithologic basis for the distribution of hydraulic properties within each hydrostratigraphic unit. The location of faults and igneous intrusive dikes may be used to define the location of potential horizontal flow barriers in numerical simulation of the groundwater system.