Coalition Studies Options As Historic Drought Conditions Threaten NM Agriculture And Water

By Megan Gleason, Source New Mexico

October 28, 2022

Water and agriculture organizations are trying to figure out how to strengthen water-dependent cultivation industries in New Mexico during a climate change-caused megadrought that’s only expected to get worse.

“Keeping water in agricultural valleys is critical for both the ecological and community resilience. We all know this,” said Connie Maxwell, a researcher who presented at the state’s 2022 Water Conference Thursday.

The N.M. Water Resource Research Institute, Acequia Association and some of New Mexico State University’s agricultural divisions teamed up to research the issue. The effort includes federally funded projects with plans and water-system models, so the coalition can see whether this is a way to work with the state’s depleting water resources.

"Nearly all of New Mexico is abnormally dry," according to the National Integrated Drought Information System, "and almost half of the state is in a moderate drought." Maxwell said land irrigation in New Mexico has been declining over the past few decades.

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"Farmers and environmental scientists have been examining since September whether drier fields could be partly supplied by arroyo flows and could also grow crops that need less water in the Rio Grande and San Juan River Basins," Maxwell reported. "They’re also looking at how the flow of floods could be controlled between the upper watersheds and the valley."

“The question really is what will it take to preserve agriculture and communities in river valleys,” Maxwell said.

The Acequia Association will focus on the drought, ways to expand and share water sources, and growing crops that can thrive in the changing climate. This second branch of research in the northern Rio Grande Basin and the San Juan River Basin will start in March.

A study of Rio Grande tributaries with an eye toward fending off flooding and sediment build-up isn’t yet funded. The partnered organizations should know by the end of the year whether the state’s Environment Department will award grant funding.

"The coalition is trying to center innovation," Maxwell said, "but that doesn’t always mean doing something new."

"Sometimes," she said, "returning to traditional practices like taking advantage of arroyo flows or acequias might be the best way forward."

“A key goal is to maintain the traditional cultural values,” she said, “and support the health of the community.”

Source New Mexico, an independent, nonprofit news organization, delivers original reporting and stories that center the lived experiences and expertise of the people of New Mexico, alongside insightful opinion and analysis. Source New Mexico is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers.