Surface Water
General Information
The Laboratory monitors surface waters from regional and Pajarito Plateau stations to evaluate the environmental effects of its operations. Periodic natural surface runoff occurs in two modes:
- spring snowmelt run-off that occurs over days to weeks at a low discharge rate and sediment load
- summer runoff from thunderstorms that occurs over hours at a high discharge rate and sediment load
The Laboratory monitors surface waters from regional and Pajarito Plateau stations to evaluate the environmental effects of its operations. Periodic natural surface runoff occurs in two modes: (1) spring snowmelt runoff that occurs over days to weeks at a low discharge rate and sediment load and (2) summer runoff from thunderstorms that occurs over hours at a high discharge rate and sediment load.
The surface waters within the Laboratory are not a source of municipal, industrial, or irrigation water, although wildlife does use the waters. We also provide answers to frequently asked questions about surface water sampling.
