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KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO ...

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<strong>BASE</strong>-WIDE PLAN<br />

3. <strong>BASE</strong>LINE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS<br />

This section provides a description and maps of Kirtland AFB baseline environmental conditions of<br />

meteorology, geology, and hydrogeology at Kirtland AFB for use and reference in project-specific work<br />

plans.<br />

3.1 Kirtland AFB Description<br />

Kirtland AFB is located southeast of Albuquerque, New Mexico, adjacent to and east of the Albuquerque<br />

International Airport. The base is within Bernalillo County and has a total area of 52,287 acres. Figure 3-1<br />

depicts the base and its surrounding areas.<br />

Kirtland AFB is bounded on the east by the Cibola National Forest, on the south by the Isleta Indian<br />

Reservation, and to the north and west by the city of Albuquerque. The Isleta Indian Reservation land<br />

adjacent to the southern boundary of the base is undeveloped. Another undeveloped parcel of land<br />

(approximately 11,500 acres) owned by the state of New Mexico lies adjacent to the western border of<br />

the southern portion of the base.<br />

The mission of Kirtland AFB is diverse and encompasses facets of aviation training, academics, technical<br />

training, supply depot, defense-readiness flying, and research and development. Waste generation has<br />

resulted from petroleum, oils, and lubricants, solvents, and other materials, including radioisotopes used<br />

to support these base missions. Table 3-1 provides a summary of historical operations at Kirtland AFB<br />

and activities that have used or generated hazardous substances. Figure 3-2 shows the current ERP sites<br />

at Kirtland AFB.<br />

3.1.1 Meteorology<br />

The climate of Kirtland AFB and the surrounding vicinity is classified as "arid continental." The mean<br />

annual precipitation is 8.4 inches and the mean annual snowfall is 1.25 inches. The average monthly<br />

precipitation in the Albuquerque area varies from less than 1 inch (November through March) to over<br />

1.25 inches in July and August. Winters are typically dry with monthly snowfalls seldom exceeding 3<br />

inches. Snow generally melts within 24 hours outside of the mountain areas. Typically, summer rains in<br />

the form of brief but locally heavy thunderstorms account for almost half of the annual moisture.<br />

Potential evapotranspiration (evaporation occurring when no soil-water deficit exists) for the<br />

Albuquerque area is 30.9 inches. Actual evapotranspiration has been determined to be about 95 percent<br />

of precipitation in the climatic regime, with the remaining five percent divided equally between runoff<br />

and recharge.<br />

Meteorological data collected at the Albuquerque International Airport show that the prevailing wind<br />

direction from May through October is south or southeast and the mean wind speed is seven to nine<br />

knots. From November through April the prevailing wind direction is north or northeast and the mean<br />

wind speed is 6 to 9 knots.<br />

Flooding is not a common occurrence at Kirtland AFB; however, localized flooding may occur for brief<br />

periods where surface drainage is confined within erosional features such as arroyos.<br />

3.1.2 Geology<br />

The geology of the Kirtland AFB area is complex and varied based on the regional geology. The eastern<br />

portion of the base is mountainous with elevations reaching 7,900 feet (ft). These mountains are partially<br />

Kirtland Air Force Base<br />

Base-Wide Plans for the Environmental Restoration Program 7 April 2004

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