Middle Rio Grande Regional Water Plan

Table of Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ ES-1
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1
2. Public Involvement in the Planning Process .......................................................................................... 4
2.1 The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission’s Role in Public Involvement in the
Regional Water Plan Update Process ............................................................................................. 5
2.2 Public Involvement in the Middle Rio Grande Planning Process .................................................. 6
2.2.1 Identification of Regional Steering Committee Members ................................................. 7
2.2.2 Regional Water Plan Update Meetings .............................................................................. 8
2.2.3 Current and Future Ideas for Public Outreach during Implementation of the
Regional Water Plan Update ............................................................................................ 16
3. Description of the Planning Region ..................................................................................................... 16
3.1 General Description of the Planning Region................................................................................ 16
3.2 Climate ......................................................................................................................................... 18
3.3 Major Surface Water and Groundwater Sources .......................................................................... 18
3.4 Demographics, Economic Overview, and Land Use ................................................................... 19
4. Legal Issues .......................................................................................................................................... 23
4.1 Relevant Water Law ..................................................................................................................... 23
4.1.1 State of New Mexico Law ............................................................................................... 23
4.1.2 State Water Laws and Administrative Policies Affecting the Region ............................. 36
4.1.3 Federal Water Laws ......................................................................................................... 39
4.1.4 Tribal Law ....................................................................................................................... 43
4.1.5 Local Law ........................................................................................................................ 43
4.2 Relevant Environmental Law ....................................................................................................... 49
4.2.1 Species Protection Laws .................................................................................................. 49
4.2.2 Water Quality Laws ......................................................................................................... 53
4.3 Legal Issues Unique to the Region and Local Conflicts Needing Resolution ............................. 57
4.3.1 Ongoing or Threatened Litigation that May Affect Water Management ........................ 57
5. Water Supply ........................................................................................................................................ 58
5.1 Summary of Climate Conditions .................................................................................................. 64
5.1.1 Temperature, Precipitation, and Drought Indices ............................................................ 64
5.1.2 Recent Climate Studies .................................................................................................... 76
5.2 Surface Water Resources ............................................................................................................. 78
5.3 Groundwater Resources ............................................................................................................... 88
5.3.1 Regional Hydrogeology ................................................................................................... 96
5.3.2 Aquifer Conditions .......................................................................................................... 96
5.4 Water Quality ............................................................................................................................... 99
5.4.1 Potential Sources of Contamination to Surface and Groundwater ................................ 102
Middle Rio Grande Regional Water Plan 2017
i