Climate Change
Agencies Are Addressing Water Losses South of San Acacia
On February 1, 2023, the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, the State Engineer, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District reported on their joint efforts to reduce Rio Grande water losses between San Acacia and the Elephant Butte Reservoir.
The effort is being driven by the needs of endangered species in a more-often drying river, and the requirements of the Rio Grande Compact. The Compact is
Read MoreState Engineer’s Water Policy and Infrastructure Task Force Report
New Mexico enters 2023 in a water crisis. But with unprecedented peril comes unprecedented opportunity.
To address that challenge, and those opportunities, a diverse task force of stakeholders from across New Mexico came together from June to November 2022, studying the problems and coming to broad, shared conclusions: our challenges are dire, but there are things we can do if we act now.
Voters across New Mexico are concerned about water resources.
Polling shows 75 percent of likely voters agree or strongly agree that we need to act now to ensure that future generations have an adequate water supply. Two thirds of voters agree or strongly agree that the New Mexico Government needs to modernize and dedicate more funding towards the management of our water quality and…
Read MoreIntroductory Report on Task Force Recommendations
The State Engineer, as directed by the Governor, convened a Water Task Force to provide water policy recommendations. This post reports on the Water Advocates Nov. 3rd webinar that introduced the Water Task Force’s substantive set of recommendations that are…
Read MoreNew Mexico Can’t Afford to Ignore the Compact
Failure to immediately control MRG water users and stop the roll toward violation of the Rio Grande Compact would, at best, represent gross negligence on the part of New Mexico’s Executive and Legislative Branches.
Read MoreLegislators Seek and Receive Advice about Water Troubles
The legislature’s Water and Natural Resources Committee conducted its only water-focused meeting this year July 25-26 at Sandia Pueblo. Legislators heard from expert panels on topics selected by …
Read MoreNew Mexico Water Governance Reform is Essential to Increase Water Sustainability and Reduce Future Water Insecurity
New Mexico’s existing water governance is not working and is wrong for the 21st century.
Read MoreRio Grande Basin Study Underway
The Basin Study will use the best available models of the Rio Grande to evaluate a wide range of climate change and adaptation scenarios.
Read MoreWater Advocates Policy Statement: Vision, Plain Truths, and Commitments
Vision: New Mexico will equitably and effectively adapt to climate change and to sustain what we value: our diverse cultures, our people and economy, food production, and riverine and riparian ecosystems. New Mexicans will act now to secure New Mexico’s water future. The Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates will support equitable, evidence-based, water planning, management,…
Read MorePlanning for Effective Water Governance – A MRGWA Proposal
Introduction: Now that New Mexico has finally recognized and accepted the reality of climate change, it’s time to realign our water planning processes to that reality. Based, in part, upon concerns with previous water planning processes, the Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates is developing a proposal for an updated water planning paradigm. It is entitled…
Read More