Endangered Species Act
Reminding Reclamation about a Key Issue and an Essential Resource
Reclamation listed key issues and important resources it will consider in its Environmental Impact Statement evaluation of reducing the waste of water caused by its 1950s failed river infrastructure. Surprisingly, Reclamation did not list the limited Rio Grande Compact water apportionment to New Mexico, for depletion within the Middle Rio Grande, as a resource that should be protected. Compliance with the compact delivery requirements is a key issue the EIS must fully consider.
Read MoreAgencies 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 MoreGoing to the MAT for Water Management along the Middle Rio Grande
Concern is building on how the multiple years of annually low mountain snowpack and extended durations of drought are combining to cause decreasing water supply to the Rio Grande and other NM rivers. Accompanying these concerns is the recognition that improved approaches and methods to achieve effective and innovative water management practices are needed to…
Read MoreMarch 2021 Update on the Projected Water Operations for the MRG
As discussed in the Water Advocates’ blog posting for the Minnow Action Team (MAT), the interim March 2021 Projected Annual Operating Plan (AOP) for the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) was presented during the MAT Meeting on 31 March 2021. The following briefly summarizes that presentation. The March URGWOM projections are based on observed snowpack water…
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