Stars Align On New Mexican Drought; 2011-12 Driest 2-Year Period On Record

[hatrack]

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In southeastern New Mexico, farmers in Carlsbad are demanding that groundwater users in Roswell and Artesia stop pumping in order to protect their rights to water in the Pecos River. A similar fight is happening on the Rio Grande, with Texas asking the U.S. Supreme Court to keep New Mexico from pumping and to force the state to send more water to farmers in El Paso.

In northeastern New Mexico, the spring that feeds rural Wagon Mound is dropping. Village officials worked with the state to develop a plan to keep the spring flowing, something McQuillan said could be a model as many of the state's 1,200-plus water systems consider revamping their water protection plans to make infrastructure improvements or find alternative water sources.

The dismal conditions of 2011 and 2012 made for the warmest and driest two-year period in New Mexico since forecasters began keeping track more than a century ago. Last year marked the second-driest year on record, with precipitation at 60 percent of normal. Snowpack in some places was half of normal heading into spring, leaving little hope that mountain moisture will reach the Rio Grande or other waterways.

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Models from the National Climatic Data Center show it would take more than a foot of rain over the next six months to end drought conditions in parts of the state. However, forecasts show no significant moisture on the horizon. Albuquerque and other cities already have imposed restrictions limiting the days and times at which residents may water outdoors. And in the Hatch and Mesilla valleys, leveling farmland and orchards with lasers has become the norm to ensure water doesn't pool and go to waste.

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http://www.sfgate.com/news/texas/article/NM-grapples-with-tough-choices-as-drought-persists-4460335.php

[pscot]

1. I wonder if the Anasazi ever

imposed restrictions on outdoor watering.