New Mexico's Lifeline: Water

In recent years, 8,250 to 10,200 farms and ranches diverted about 75 to 78% of New Mexico's water supply (3 to 4 million acre-feet of water). The years vary widely with anywhere between 830-875,000 acres requiring irrigation. In 2005, 32% came from surface water, 53% from groundwater, and 15% from a combination. During droughts, only those farms that have access to groundwater continue to harvest high yields.

Dreams: Water rights and supplies are safe form municipal/subdivsion appropriation, conserved water can be used or banked, and groundwater supplies are managed sustainably. Agro-ecoregion water sources: High Plains relies on the Ogallala and Roswell aquifers, plus the Canadian River for irrigation. Arid Lowlands irrigates from the lower Rio Grande and Pecos Rivers as well as the Tularosa Basin, closed basins and limestone aquifers. Central Plains relies on the Upper Pecos River and Santa Rosa aquifer. The Southern Rockies depends on Rio Grande and Canadian Basin surface waters, although some local wells exist. The Colorado Plateau relies mostly on diversions from the San Juan River.