Publication Date
5-2020
Abstract
Nash Draw is an enclosed basin located in southeastern New Mexico (USA). Nash Draw developed through solution and erosion of upper Permian rocks of the Rustler and Salado Formations. Surface features of sinkholes, swallets (including alluvial dolines), caves, and karst valleys occur principally in and on outcrops to subcrops of gypsum of the Rustler. The underlying Salado is relatively shallow, and groundwater is removing halite from the upper part, leaving a residue of insolubles and a brine-saturated zone. Potash refining over nearly 90 years affects the surface hydrology and shallow groundwater of Nash Draw. Nash Draw has no external surficial drainage. Thirty internally drained basins have been identified from topography (~3-m to 6-m divides) and field checking. For each 100-m square within a basin, factors such as active or vegetated channels, presence of surficial karst features, and curve number (a runoff parameter) have been assigned using field investigations, soil maps, and aerial photography. For comparison, GIS analysis included air photo interpretation, DEM analysis, remote sensing and GPS field mapping of karst features. GIS analysis identifies a relationship between the drainage basins, surface flow models and feature points. This relationship terminates surface flow models at sink locations and flow models remain within the identified drainage divides. Ground truthing of historical air photo interpretation and DEM analysis indicate that sinkhole occurrence and character have changed over time. Nash Draw karst features continue to be cataloged, using field work and aerial photography. To differentiate and catalog Nash Draw karst features, four types are identified. More than three-fourths of the Nash Draw surface has been surveyed in some detail.
Rights Information
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5038/9781733375313.1026
Karst and sinkholes at Nash Draw, southeastern New Mexico (USA)
Nash Draw is an enclosed basin located in southeastern New Mexico (USA). Nash Draw developed through solution and erosion of upper Permian rocks of the Rustler and Salado Formations. Surface features of sinkholes, swallets (including alluvial dolines), caves, and karst valleys occur principally in and on outcrops to subcrops of gypsum of the Rustler. The underlying Salado is relatively shallow, and groundwater is removing halite from the upper part, leaving a residue of insolubles and a brine-saturated zone. Potash refining over nearly 90 years affects the surface hydrology and shallow groundwater of Nash Draw. Nash Draw has no external surficial drainage. Thirty internally drained basins have been identified from topography (~3-m to 6-m divides) and field checking. For each 100-m square within a basin, factors such as active or vegetated channels, presence of surficial karst features, and curve number (a runoff parameter) have been assigned using field investigations, soil maps, and aerial photography. For comparison, GIS analysis included air photo interpretation, DEM analysis, remote sensing and GPS field mapping of karst features. GIS analysis identifies a relationship between the drainage basins, surface flow models and feature points. This relationship terminates surface flow models at sink locations and flow models remain within the identified drainage divides. Ground truthing of historical air photo interpretation and DEM analysis indicate that sinkhole occurrence and character have changed over time. Nash Draw karst features continue to be cataloged, using field work and aerial photography. To differentiate and catalog Nash Draw karst features, four types are identified. More than three-fourths of the Nash Draw surface has been surveyed in some detail.
