Influence of the stratigraphy and geologic structures on the groundwater flow, Querétaro Valley

  • Dora Carreón-Freyre Centro de Geociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Apartado Postal 1-742, 76001 Querétaro, Qro., México.
  • Mariano Cerca Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 México, D. F., México. Centro de Geociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Apartado Postal 1-742, 76001 Querétaro, Qro., México.
  • Laura Luna-González Instituto de Geografía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 México D. F., México.
  • Francisco J. Gámez-González Comisión Nacional del Agua, Gerencia Estatal en Querétaro, Av. Hidalgo 293, Fracc. Las Campanas, 76010 Querétaro, Qro., México.
Keywords: Hydrogeology, fracturing, stratigraphic sequence, sedimentary basin, Querétaro, Mexico.

Abstract

In this work we review the existing models on the aquifer system and geology of the Valley of Queretaro. The interpretation of the lithological record in 70 water extraction wells helped to detail the stratigraphy of the first 200 m. In order to evaluate the characteristics of the groundwater flow, 32 monitoring wells and the measured piezometric levels of 196 wells for an interval between 1970 and 2003 were compiled. The hydraulic head has decreased between 10 and 160 m during the last two decades. The analysis of the piezometric evolution shows that the differences in the groundwater withdrawal are delineated by the stratigraphic and structural discontinuities. Variations in time of the piezometric levels of wells located in both sides of the Falla Central suggest that this structure act as a boundary between different hydraulic compartments. The isotopic analysis of δ18O and δD suggest that groundwater in the valley is not influenced directly by vertical recharge. According to the physical properties of the stratigraphic units, a multilayer aquifer model for the Valley of Queretaro, with a flow regime between local and regional is proposed.

Published
2018-04-25
Section
Regular Papers