As summer temperatures rise through the Middle Rio Grande Valley, water managers and farmers are racing against the clock.
According to the latest Irrigation & Hydrology Update released June 14, MRGCD’s only available storage supply for the season—6,500 acre-feet of San Juan–Chama water—is expected to run dry by the end of June, leaving the region surprisingly vulnerable.
The San Juan–Chama allocation, which typically could yield 30–40 days of irrigable flow at full capacity, has been sharply reduced to a mere 7–10 days due to dry winter snowpack and low inflows. Native Rio Grande reservoir water remains off-limits this year because of the state’s 123,500 acre-feet Rio Grande Compact debt, barring use, except for six pueblos with senior water rights.
MRGCD has activated rotational irrigation scheduling and is urging farmers to prepare for substantially limited deliveries, a lifeline now resting on summer storm relief.
Water managers anticipate that San Juan–Chama distribution could begin this week, yet projections indicate it will dry up by late June, barring rainfall. This triggers a reliance on both luck and farm-level adaptation:
- Rotational Scheduling is underway to stretch available water.
- Farmers are advised to plan for drought: crop switching, water banking, fallowing, or relying on rain-fed production.
- A new Water Storage Agreement signed with Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Authority and the Bureau of Reclamation allows storage of Rio Grande water at Abiquiu Reservoir, but Compact constraints could limit its usability.
While August monsoon rains could offer temporary relief, long-term viability is doubtful without sustained precipitation. The MRGCD board said structural adaptation is underway with water leasing programs, Compact debt mitigation, and infrastructure upgrades, such as the Corrales Siphon project, all being steps toward resilience.
Homeowners and outdoor gardeners should expect water restrictions in the months ahead. The continued reliance on rain introduces uncertainty, especially for lawns, recreation, and habitat restoration efforts along the bosque.
Farmers are urged to plan planting decisions now and stay in contact with their Irrigation System Operator to adjust deliveries. Public updates will be provided at upcoming community forums and on the MRGCD website.
Middle Rio Grande Valley faces critical drought conditions
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As summer temperatures rise through the Middle Rio Grande Valley, water managers and farmers are racing against the clock.
According to the latest Irrigation & Hydrology Update released June 14, MRGCD’s only available storage supply for the season—6,500 acre-feet of San Juan–Chama water—is expected to run dry by the end of June, leaving the region surprisingly vulnerable.
The San Juan–Chama allocation, which typically could yield 30–40 days of irrigable flow at full capacity, has been sharply reduced to a mere 7–10 days due to dry winter snowpack and low inflows. Native Rio Grande reservoir water remains off-limits this year because of the state’s 123,500 acre-feet Rio Grande Compact debt, barring use, except for six pueblos with senior water rights.
MRGCD has activated rotational irrigation scheduling and is urging farmers to prepare for substantially limited deliveries, a lifeline now resting on summer storm relief.
Water managers anticipate that San Juan–Chama distribution could begin this week, yet projections indicate it will dry up by late June, barring rainfall. This triggers a reliance on both luck and farm-level adaptation:
While August monsoon rains could offer temporary relief, long-term viability is doubtful without sustained precipitation. The MRGCD board said structural adaptation is underway with water leasing programs, Compact debt mitigation, and infrastructure upgrades, such as the Corrales Siphon project, all being steps toward resilience.
Homeowners and outdoor gardeners should expect water restrictions in the months ahead. The continued reliance on rain introduces uncertainty, especially for lawns, recreation, and habitat restoration efforts along the bosque.
Farmers are urged to plan planting decisions now and stay in contact with their Irrigation System Operator to adjust deliveries. Public updates will be provided at upcoming community forums and on the MRGCD website.