Based on a total of 135 stable isotope analysis (δ18O, δD) carried out on surface and groundwater samples, as well as on rainwater samples between 2004 and 2011 in 5 different regions in Baja California, an isotopic evaluation of the region was established. The results showed a depletion gradient of -0.25 ‰ δ18O per 100 m rise in elevation throughout the study area. Considering an unaltered δ18O signature for the thermal springs, the recharge areas of these waters are at elevations over 1400 m outside of the present watersheds, indicating the presence of regional flow systems next to the local flow regime feeding the cold springs and wells. The Mesa de Andrade area has a completely different signature with values of -105 for δ18O and -13 for δD.
Con el fin de conocer las características edafológicas y geomorfológicas del noreste del Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, y sus implicaciones en los volúmenes de escurrimiento en esta región, se tomaron 59 muestras de los primeros 5 cm del suelo, observándose el relieve, la clasificación del sedimento y la cobertura superficial de los sitios de muestreo. En el laboratorio se realizaron análisis texturales y de contenido gravimétrico de humedad de dichas muestras. Los estudios geomorfológicos tuvieron como base los datos de tres matrices de información: una imagen del satélite Ikonos, una imagen del sensor Aster y la carta digital geológica del Instituto Nacional de Estadística Geografía e Informática I11D82. Con la imagen Ikonos se calculó el índice de vegetación diferencial normalizado, con la imagen Aster se evaluó la pendiente del terreno, con la carta digital geológica se obtuvo la geología para el área de estudio. Siguiendo el método de las curvas numeradas para el escurrimiento se generó un algoritmo computacional (para el programa ERmapper 6.4) que utiliza la información de las tres matrices antes mencionadas y los datos de campo. Éste se empleó para estudiar el potencial de escurrimiento superficial en la Serranía Matcuatai y evaluar los volúmenes de escurrimiento aportados hacia el Valle de Guadalupe, para los cuales se estimó una media anual de 258,000 ± 123,000 m3 . Además se encontró que el 88% del suelo en el área de estudio tiene un potencial favorable al escurrimiento y un 12% favorable a la infiltración.
In order to recognize the soil and geomorphologic characteristics of the northeastern part of Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, and its implications on the runoff volumes in the region, 59 soil samples were collected from the first 5 cm of the soil layer, taking into account the surface relief, soil classification and vegetation cover of each sampling point. Soil moisture content and textural analyses were carried out in the laboratory for each sample. Three raster images were used to complement field data: an Ikonos image, an Aster Image and the Instituto Nacional de Estadística Geografía e Informática digital geologic map I11D82. The Ikonos image was used to calculate the normalized differential vegetation index, the Aster image to evaluate the field slope, and the digital map to obtain geologic information for the study area. Following the runoff curve number method, a computational algorithm was developed (for Ermapper 6.4 software), by using the three raster images and the field data. The algorithm was employed to study the surface runoff potential in the Serranía Matcuatai and to evaluate its runoff volume contributions to Valle de Guadalupe. The mean annual runoff volume contribution was estimated in 258,000 ± 123,000 m³. It was also found that 88% of the study area surface has a runoff potential and only 12% is favorable to infiltration.
A regional groundwater flow model was developed, in order to evaluate the water table behavior in the region of the Guadalupe Valley, in Baja California, Mexico. The State of Baja California has been subject to an increment of the agricultural, urban and industrials activities, implicating a growing water-demand. However, the State is characterized by its semi-arid climate with low surface water availability; resulting in an extensive use of groundwater in local aquifer. Based on historic piezometric information of the last two decades, however, a negative evolution could be observed, resulting a negative storage volume. So far, there is not an integral hydrogeological evaluation that determine the real condition of the groundwater resource, and that permit to planning a management of the Guadalupe Valley Aquifer. A steady-state calibration model was carried out in order to obtain the best possible match to measured levels at the Guadalupe Val[1]ley Aquifer. The contours of calculated water table elevations for January 1983 were reproduced. Generally, the comparison of the observed and calculated water table configurations have a good qualitative and quantitatively adjustment. Nowadays, it is count with a hydrogeological model that can be used for simulates the groundwater flow in the region of the Guadalupe Valley.