Water Scarcity in New Mexico

The Demand for Fresh Water is increasing in New Mexico, but the

supply has decreased.

We are faced with Global Changes and Drought Conditions that decrease the

available water that we do have.

Rio Grande Aquifer System

Water Rights in the Rio Grande Aquifer SystemWater volume measured from stream gauges at the Headwaters of the Rio Grande becomes the basis of the amount of ground water that will be divided between Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.

Elephant Butte is a major ground water storage for Southern New Mexico and Texas.

Snow melt is important because it provides 50% of the surface water in New Mexico.

Dr. Caiti Steele (NMSU) charts the snow melt through stream gauges in Colorado and Northern New Mexico.

Yearly amounts of Water rights are determined by these measurements.

Dr. Steele’s longitudinal data shows the amount of water from the snow melt has dropped 23% over the decade.

Snow Melt and its affects

Driest on RecordIf the runoff from snow melt is less than needed, it effects Agriculture, Wildlife, Ecology, and it’s people.

When runoff from the snow melt happens earlier in the year, it effects the amount of water available in New Mexico for Agriculture.

A solution to dwindling snow melt runoff is needed. All the water needs in the state can not come from the Rio Grande.

Increasing state population

Irrigation in agricultural areas use a large percentage of our states ground water. The decrease in available ground water forces farmers to pull water from the aquifer to meet their agricultural needs

Water loving landscapesResidential areasGolf courses

Big Users of Water

Making different Irrigation choices

Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Water Desalination

Promote water conservation

New Mexico’s Efforts to Save Water

A large percentage of Water Rights will be used for Farming Irrigation

When farmers/ranchers run out of their water allotment from the Rio Grande they pump from wells which depletes the aquifer.

Some farmers are using methods that do not deplete the water supply as fast:

Alternate row irrigation Choosing more water efficient crops (Cotton)

Irrigation for Agricultural Areas

Larger cities in the state

have built and operate water reclamation plants.

Reclaiming Water

Some golf courses are beginning to use reclaimed water as a source for their large water needs.

Using other than Potable Water for Watering Landscapes

Another source of drinking water could come from extracting salt from ground water.

At the present time this process in New Mexico is energy intensive and there is no clear way to dispose of the extracted salt or concentrate.

Research at theTularosa Basin Brackish Desalination Plant in

Alamogordo

UN states that by the year 2025

2 out of 3 people in world will not be near a fresh water source.

Water Scarcity is a Global Problem

Global Fresh Water Availability

Other Resources

Journey Santa FeUN Water for Life Decade - Global Water Scarcity

ESPCoR Water Projects - Caiti Steele Caiti's Snowpack Reservior Powerpoint

EPSCoR Water Resources