Albuquerque's Environmental Story

Educating For a Sustainable Community

Albuquerque's Natural Environment

Sand Plains

  1. TERRAIN - High, flat to slightly concave surfaces often enclosed by low, broad ridges. Local slopes may exceed 3%; regional gradient is to S at 1% or less.
  2. CLIMATE AND AIR QUALITY - Description: see "Volcanic" unit for description. Comments: see "Volcanic" unit for comments.
  3. GEOLOGY - See description of "Alluvial Fans" unit. Upper fill is less well consolidated and reworked by wind in active and fossil dunes. Resources and Hazards: some potential for deep geothermal wells; no other significant resources or hazards known.
  4. Drawing of a WindmillSOILS - Association: Madurez-Wink. Description: well-drained fine sandy loam over sandy clay loams, formed from unconsolidated alluvial material. Notable Characteristics: moderate shrink-swell, sloughing, and permeability; may be highly corrosive; fair suitability for most activities if used with care.
  5. HYDROLOGY - Relatively small number of broad valleys and ponding areas, almost always dry. Some local runoff following summer storms; most percolates into ground or is lost by evaporation. Ground water is found at considerable depth (and mainly results from inflow from mountain areas to the north). Use limited at present; local quality problems. Quantities generally are less than that available east of the river.
  6. VEGETATION - Zone: Upper Sonora. Indicator Species: mostly short grasses including black grama, sand drop seed, Indian rice grass, some sand sagebrush, snake weed, and winter fat. Productivity; Sensitivity: moderate grazing capacity, good habitat for semi-desert and grassland species. Very sensitive to overgrazing.
  7. WILDLIFE - Indicator Species: jackrabbit, kangaroo rat, coyote, and western diamondback rattlesnake, scorpion, and others as noted under "Alluvial Fans." Value: slightly less moist environment, but contains broader range of species because it is generally less disturbed.

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