Summary of Summary of Regional Water Plan Regional Water Plan - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Summary of Summary of Regional Water Plan Regional Water Plan & Link to & Link to Adjudication Adjudication

Elaine Elaine Hebard Hebard Water Assembly Volunteer Water Assembly Volunteer

Middle Rio Grande Regional Water Plan 2000-2050 Volume 1 – August 2004

Shortfall Shortfall

In 1999, the Assembly published the In 1999, the Assembly published the Regional Water Budget. It helped us realize Regional Water Budget. It helped us realize that we were using substantially more than that we were using substantially more than is being renewed. is being renewed. That conclusion was reiterated in the Middle That conclusion was reiterated in the Middle Rio Grande Water Supply Study, Phase 3, Rio Grande Water Supply Study, Phase 3, prepared for the New Mexico Interstate prepared for the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and issued in Stream Commission and issued in November of 2004. November of 2004.

Inflows Inflows 261,000 afpy 261,000 afpy Consumption Consumption 316,000 316,000 afpy afpy

1972 1972-

• 1997 average data;

1997 average data; Numbers are in Numbers are in a acre cre f feet eet p per er y year; ear; One acre One acre-

• foot is about

foot is about 326,000 gallons 326,000 gallons

The Regional Problem The Regional Problem

Ongoing Deficit Spending of Water Ongoing Deficit Spending of Water -

• Past

Past Quarter Century Quarter Century

Fifty Year Fifty Year Population Prediction Population Prediction 700,000 700,000 1,400,000 1,400,000

55,000 afpy 55,000 afpy Deficit Deficit

Planning Mission: Planning Mission: Eliminate Deficit Eliminate Deficit 55,000 afpy 0 afpy 55,000 afpy 0 afpy

Diverse Diverse Uses Uses

50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 300,000 350,000

B e r n a l i l l

• 1

9 9 B e r n a l i l l

• 1

9 9 5 B e r n a l i l l

• 2

V a l e n c i a 1 9 9 V a l e n c i a 1 9 9 5 V a l e n c i a 2 S a n d

• v

a l 1 9 9 S a n d

• v

a l 1 9 9 5 S a n d

• v

a l 2 Depletion Withdrawal

MRG Withdrawal & Depletion, MRG Withdrawal & Depletion, 1990, 1995 & 2000, in acre feet 1990, 1995 & 2000, in acre feet

Source: Brian, C., Wilson, P.E., "Water Use by Categories in New Mexico Counties and River Basins, and Irrigated Acreage", Technical Reports, 1992, 1997 and 2003, New Mexico State Engineer Office, Santa Fe, NM.

Regional Water Depletion Regional Water Depletion -

• 2000

2000 in acre feet in acre feet

10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000 70000 80000 90000

Depletion Surface Water 10 78,346.00 193 92.8 10,370.00 Depletion Ground Water 7,308.29 12,119.10 874.39 6,172.00 1,806.44 719.17 541.91 65,234.25 Commercia l (self- supplied) Domestic (self- supplied) Industrial (self- supplied) Irrigated Agricultur e Livestock (self- supplied) Mining (self- supplied) Power (self- supplied) Public Water Supply Reservoir Evaporatio n

Source: Brian, C., Wilson, P.E., "Water Use by Categories in New Mexico Counties and River Basins, and Irrigated Acreage", Technical Reports, 1992, 1997 and 2003, New Mexico State Engineer Office, Santa Fe, NM.

2000 Water Use (acre feet)

10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 Sandoval Valencia Bernalillo Agriculture Urban

Water supply is variable

Annual Variability: Otowi Index Supply, 1950- 2002

500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 2,500,000 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 Year Flow (acre-ft/year)

Water Supply Conditions & Water Supply Conditions & Forecasts Forecasts

• Water in Storage

Water in Storage is 376,481 acre feet or is 376,481 acre feet or 17.1% 17.1% of the

• f the

combined reservoir capacity of 2.2 million acre feet. Based combined reservoir capacity of 2.2 million acre feet. Based

• n 2006 forecast inflows and use, Labor Day storage is
• n 2006 forecast inflows and use, Labor Day storage is

projected to fall to 2.8%. Reservoir releases are now projected to fall to 2.8%. Reservoir releases are now scheduled to stop in late August. scheduled to stop in late August.

• Surface water runoff

Surface water runoff into Elephant Butte reservoir from into Elephant Butte reservoir from snowpack snowpack runoff and other river flow is projected to be only runoff and other river flow is projected to be only 9% 9% of the long

• f the long-
• run average or just 54,000

run average or just 54,000 af

• af. National

. National Weather Service 3 month forecasts continue to call for above Weather Service 3 month forecasts continue to call for above normal temperatures and drought to persist. normal temperatures and drought to persist.

• Rio Grande Project 2006 season water allocation is

Rio Grande Project 2006 season water allocation is now 50.4% now 50.4% of a full supply. USBR allocations are based on

• f a full supply. USBR allocations are based on

the amount of water actually available in storage. The most the amount of water actually available in storage. The most probable total season allocation forecast was reduced slightly probable total season allocation forecast was reduced slightly to 53% of a full supply. to 53% of a full supply.

Drought Watch on the Rio Grande Surface Water Supply Conditions Drought Watch on the Rio Grande Surface Water Supply Conditions May 26, 2006 May 26, 2006 http http:// ://elpaso tamu edu elpaso tamu edu/ /Research Research/ /Homepage htm Homepage htm

New or Additional Users New or Additional Users Need Water Too Need Water Too

Population From 1910 to 2030

MRG Population Past, Present and Future - 1910 to 2030

100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 600,000 700,000 800,000 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2005 2015 2025 Bernalillo Sandoval Valencia Source: Bureau of Business and Economic Research, University of New Mexico.

The Regional Water Plan has 43 The Regional Water Plan has 43 recommendations recommendations

Increase Supply Restore the Bosque Manage the Watershed Re-Use Pumped Water Reduce Open Water Evaporation Harvest Rainwater Desalinate / Import Brackish Water Modify the Weather Decrease Demand Implement Urban Conservation Plans Implement Rural Conservation Plans Adjust Water Pricing Meter Water Uses Limit New Domestic Wells Moderate Population Growth

paper water rights wet water

Straight Talk: Straight Talk: Our Water is Over Our Water is Over-

• Allocated

Allocated Straight Action: Straight Action: Protect Our Future Protect Our Future

Tom Tom Turney Turney— —Former New Mexico Former New Mexico State Engineer State Engineer

“ “So when did the Middle Rio Grande basin So when did the Middle Rio Grande basin become fully appropriated? When I brought become fully appropriated? When I brought suit against Pojoaque Pueblo on their golf suit against Pojoaque Pueblo on their golf course, seeking an injunction for pumping course, seeking an injunction for pumping without a water right, I basically testified without a water right, I basically testified that the Middle Rio Grande was fully that the Middle Rio Grande was fully appropriated at the time of the signing of appropriated at the time of the signing of the Rio Grande Compact.” the Rio Grande Compact.”

(Water Assembly, June 2005) (Water Assembly, June 2005)

A Natural Next Step A Natural Next Step

With over allocation, we’re always in a water short year, drought or no. Mission: Balance Water Use with Renewable Supply The plan focused on ways to reduce the deficit, cutting out some 15% of our uses unless we can find more water to satisfy that gap. Hard to manage when the ownership is unknown, as well as the seniority and amount.

R2 R2-

• 1

1— —Adjudication and Water Adjudication and Water Rights Settlement Rights Settlement

Identifying, quantifying and prioritizing water rights is Identifying, quantifying and prioritizing water rights is paramount to better water management. Currently, the paramount to better water management. Currently, the State Engineer uses the process of adjudication to State Engineer uses the process of adjudication to accomplish this. It is recommended that this process be accomplish this. It is recommended that this process be utilized in the region unless a more expedient, equitable, utilized in the region unless a more expedient, equitable, and less costly process is created. Alternative dispute and less costly process is created. Alternative dispute resolution should be considered as an option. resolution should be considered as an option. Furthermore, this plan recommends that the legislature Furthermore, this plan recommends that the legislature appropriate and the State Engineer direct sufficient funds appropriate and the State Engineer direct sufficient funds to prepare the necessary information, including to prepare the necessary information, including hydrographic surveys, to identify, quantify and resolve hydrographic surveys, to identify, quantify and resolve priority ownership rights. priority ownership rights.

Today Today

• Listen

Listen

• Suggest

Suggest

Relevant Information Relevant Information

Goals Goals

• Ensure that the Mission is fulfilled through

Ensure that the Mission is fulfilled through fair, open and inclusive public planning and fair, open and inclusive public planning and implementation processes implementation processes

• Preserve Water for a Healthy Native Rio Grande

Preserve Water for a Healthy Native Rio Grande Ecosystem Ecosystem

• Preserve Water for the Region’s Agricultural,

Preserve Water for the Region’s Agricultural, Cultural, and Historical Values Cultural, and Historical Values

• Preserve Water for Economic and Urban Vitality

Preserve Water for Economic and Urban Vitality

• Preserve Water for the Qualities of Life Valued by

Preserve Water for the Qualities of Life Valued by Residents in the Region Residents in the Region

• Conserve Water

Conserve Water

Goals, continued Goals, continued

• Develop Broad Public and Official Awareness

Develop Broad Public and Official Awareness

• f Water Facts and Issues, Especially the
• f Water Facts and Issues, Especially the

Limited Nature of Water Resources Limited Nature of Water Resources

• Promote a System of Water Laws and

Promote a System of Water Laws and Processes that Support the Regional Water Processes that Support the Regional Water Plan and its Implementation Plan and its Implementation

• Provide Appropriate Water Quality for Each Use

Provide Appropriate Water Quality for Each Use

• Manage Water Demand Consistent with the Stated

Manage Water Demand Consistent with the Stated Mission Mission

• Balance Growth with Renewable Supply (Accepted

Balance Growth with Renewable Supply (Accepted by the Water Assembly and not by the Water by the Water Assembly and not by the Water Resources Board) Resources Board)

Some Relevant Issues Facing Us Some Relevant Issues Facing Us

• Population Growth

Population Growth

• Increase In Water Demands

Increase In Water Demands

• Changes in Water Use

Changes in Water Use

• Limited water supply

Limited water supply

• Unintended Consequences

Unintended Consequences

• Drought

Drought

Water for our future: what are Water for our future: what are the trends? the trends?

• During the past century, the world

During the past century, the world population has tripled, and water use has population has tripled, and water use has increased six increased six-

• fold.

fold.

• Source Information based on the UN World Water

Source Information based on the UN World Water Development Report (UN/WWAP), Our Future Climate Development Report (UN/WWAP), Our Future Climate (WMO), Vital Water Graphics (UNEP) (WMO), Vital Water Graphics (UNEP)

The Region

Three Diverse Counties:

– Sandoval – Bernalillo – Valencia

Three Main Watersheds:

– Rio Puerco – Rio Jemez – Rio Grande

“Drought Watch on the Rio

Grande" – May 26, 2006

Water Supply Conditions & Forecasts

• Water in Storage is 376,481 acre feet or 17.1% of the combined

reservoir capacity of 2.2 million acre feet. Based on 2006 forecast inflows and use, Labor Day storage is projected to fall to 2.8%. Reservoir releases are now scheduled to stop in late August.

• Surface water runoff into Elephant Butte reservoir from snowpack

runoff and other river flow is projected to be only 9% of the long-run average or just 54,000 af. National Weather Service 3 month forecasts continue to call for above normal temperatures and drought to persist.

• Rio Grande Project 2006 season water allocation is now 50.4%
• f a full supply. USBR allocations are based on the amount of water

actually available in storage. The most probable total season allocation forecast was reduced slightly to 53% of a full supply.

http:// http://elpaso.tamu.edu/Research/Homepage.htm elpaso.tamu.edu/Research/Homepage.htm

Current State of Reservoirs Current State of Reservoirs

http://www.usbr.gov/uc/albuq/water/SanJuanChama/Reservoirs/buckets.html

2003 USGS Report

• f Groundwater

Levels in the Albuquerque region

Shows declines from 1960 to 2000

RIO GRANDE BASIN as of May 1, 2006 RIO GRANDE BASIN as of May 1, 2006

Streamflow Streamflow forecasts for the Rio Grande Basin range from 9 percent of forecasts for the Rio Grande Basin range from 9 percent of average for the Jemez River below Jemez Canyon Dam and the Santa average for the Jemez River below Jemez Canyon Dam and the Santa Fe River near Santa Fe, to 54 percent of average for the Costill Fe River near Santa Fe, to 54 percent of average for the Costilla a Reservoir Inflow. April precipitation in the basin was 46 percen Reservoir Inflow. April precipitation in the basin was 46 percent of t of

• average. Year
• average. Year-
• to

to-

• date precipitation is well below average at 57 percent

date precipitation is well below average at 57 percent-

• down from last year's 132 percent. The

down from last year's 132 percent. The snowpack snowpack is 20 percent of is 20 percent of average down from last average down from last month?s month?s 37 percent. Total reservoir storage in 37 percent. Total reservoir storage in the basin continues to fall with 941,800 acre the basin continues to fall with 941,800 acre-

• feet, or 48 percent of

feet, or 48 percent of average.

• average. Abiquiu

Abiquiu and Costilla Reservoirs continue to show 100 percent or and Costilla Reservoirs continue to show 100 percent or better average storage. better average storage.

New Mexico State Basin Outlook Report for May, 2006 New Mexico State Basin Outlook Report for May, 2006 http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/bor2.pl?state= http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/bor2.pl?state=nm&year nm&year=2006&month=5&format=text =2006&month=5&format=text

SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN as of May 1, SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN as of May 1, 2006 2006

• Streamflow

Streamflow forecasts for the San Juan River Basin range forecasts for the San Juan River Basin range from 50 percent of average for the Navajo Reservoir from 50 percent of average for the Navajo Reservoir Inflow, to 68 percent of average for the Animas River at Inflow, to 68 percent of average for the Animas River at Durango and the La Plata River at Hesperus. April Durango and the La Plata River at Hesperus. April precipitation came in at 80 percent of average, down precipitation came in at 80 percent of average, down from last year's 99 percent. Year from last year's 99 percent. Year-

• to

to-

• date precipitation is

date precipitation is 79 percent of average, down from last year's 129 79 percent of average, down from last year's 129 percent.

• percent. Snowpack

Snowpack in the basin is the best in the state in the basin is the best in the state this month at only 51 percent of average, down from this month at only 51 percent of average, down from last year's 136 percent. Navajo reservoir storage is last year's 136 percent. Navajo reservoir storage is 1,538,200 acre 1,538,200 acre-

• feet, up from last year's 1,389,400 acre

feet, up from last year's 1,389,400 acre-

• feet.

feet.

Relative Importance of Specific Relative Importance of Specific Listed “Water Issues” Listed “Water Issues”

4.27 4.27 4.14 4.14 Whether there is enough water to maintain residential lawns and Whether there is enough water to maintain residential lawns and gardens. gardens. 4.97 4.97 4.88 4.88 Making enough water available to attract and keep high Making enough water available to attract and keep high– –tech tech industries that offer good industries that offer good– –paying jobs in the region. paying jobs in the region. 4.98 4.98 4.96 4.96 Whether New Mexico can meet its legal obligations to Texas and Whether New Mexico can meet its legal obligations to Texas and Mexico, and still have enough water to meet the needs of New Mexico, and still have enough water to meet the needs of New Mexicans. Mexicans. 5.23 5.23 5.14 5.14 Whether population and economic growth are out of balance with Whether population and economic growth are out of balance with the limited water resources of the state. the limited water resources of the state. 5.67 5.67 5.67 5.67 The rate at which we are using up the underground water supply. The rate at which we are using up the underground water supply. 5.74 5.74 5.80 5.80 Having enough water in our rivers to protect endangered fish and Having enough water in our rivers to protect endangered fish and to keep the trees, vegetation, and other wildlife along the to keep the trees, vegetation, and other wildlife along the riverbanks healthy. riverbanks healthy. 6.09 6.09 6.19 6.19 The quality of the water that my family and I drink and bathe in The quality of the water that my family and I drink and bathe in. . Statewide Statewide MRG MRG

(1 = “not an important problem”; 7 = “extremely important problem”)

Values Assigned to Various Uses of Water Values Assigned to Various Uses of Water

2.58 2.58 2.68 2.68 Swimming pools for individuals homes Swimming pools for individuals homes 2.93 2.93 3.18 3.18 Watering golf courses Watering golf courses 4.14 4.14 3.82 3.82 Use for yards and landscaping in new developments Use for yards and landscaping in new developments 4.57 4.57 4.40 4.40 Watering existing yards and landscaping Watering existing yards and landscaping 5.41 5.41 5.29 5.29 New industrial uses, such as manufacturing processes New industrial uses, such as manufacturing processes 5.52 5.52 5.66 5.66 Community parks and sports fields Community parks and sports fields 6.40 6.40 6.14 6.14 Recreation, such as fishing and rafting Recreation, such as fishing and rafting 6.34 6.34 6.38 6.38 Cultural and religious uses in some villages and pueblos Cultural and religious uses in some villages and pueblos 6.94 6.94 6.62 6.62 Indoor use in new housing developments Indoor use in new housing developments 7.56 7.56 7.54 7.54 Providing food and refuge for fish, birds, and other animals Providing food and refuge for fish, birds, and other animals 7.99 7.99 7.59 7.59 Irrigation for farms Irrigation for farms 7.50 7.50 7.69 7.69 Preserving the native cottonwood forest and vegetation along riv Preserving the native cottonwood forest and vegetation along river er banks known as the banks known as the bosque bosque, that creates habitat for a variety of , that creates habitat for a variety of different animal species different animal species 8.32 8.32 8.17 8.17 Indoor use in existing homes Indoor use in existing homes Statewide Statewide MRG MRG

Reference: Attitudes and Preferences of Residents of the Middle Rio Grande Water Planning Region Regarding Water issues: Summary Report to the Action Committee of the Middle Rio Grande Water Assembly and the Middle Rio Grande Council of Governments (UNM Institute for Public Policy/The University of New Mexico; Albuquerque, New Mexico, June 2000).

THE KEY FACT ABOUT OUR THE KEY FACT ABOUT OUR WATER: DEMAND EXCEEDS WATER: DEMAND EXCEEDS SUPPLY SUPPLY

• Framework For Public Input To A

Framework For Public Input To A State Water Plan State Water Plan

• Prepared By The New Mexico Office Of

Prepared By The New Mexico Office Of The State Engineer And The Interstate The State Engineer And The Interstate Stream Commission, December 2002 Stream Commission, December 2002

• http://

http://www.seo.state.nm.us www.seo.state.nm.us

• Growing and increasingly diverse demands for water

Growing and increasingly diverse demands for water in the Middle Rio Grande region in the Middle Rio Grande region— —including the including the State’s needs for water supply for about half its State’s needs for water supply for about half its population and economy, and for wildlife and population and economy, and for wildlife and ecological uses ecological uses— —cannot all be met. cannot all be met.

• Current water consumption exceeds the long

Current water consumption exceeds the long-

• term

term average supply that is legally available for use in the average supply that is legally available for use in the Middle Rio Grande. Middle Rio Grande.

• Since the surface

Since the surface-

• water system is closely

water system is closely interconnected with groundwater, pumping more interconnected with groundwater, pumping more groundwater does not solve the problem. groundwater does not solve the problem.

Source: Framework For Public Input To A State Water Plan; Prepared By The New Mexico Office Of The State Engineer And The Interstate Stream Commission; December 2002

Stewardship Stewardship

• Recognize the fiscal, physical, legal and ethical

Recognize the fiscal, physical, legal and ethical constraints constraints

• Consider future generations

Consider future generations

• Think about unintended consequences

Think about unintended consequences – – such such as lining paving all ditches so there is no as lining paving all ditches so there is no recharge. recharge.

• Link water planning with land use planning

Link water planning with land use planning

In the end, we will conserve only what we

• love. We love only what we understand.

We will understand only what we are taught. Baba Dioum

Discussion & Questions Discussion & Questions

• What Should We Do? What Recommendations

What Should We Do? What Recommendations Can We Make? Can We Make?

• What Are The Possibilities And What Are The

What Are The Possibilities And What Are The Limits Of Adjudication? Limits Of Adjudication?

• If adjudication were to begin in our region,

If adjudication were to begin in our region,

* what additional steps or suggestions would we * what additional steps or suggestions would we submit? submit? * what process might we recommend? * what process might we recommend? * what steps might be taken and by whom? * what steps might be taken and by whom? * how much would this process cost to begin and how * how much would this process cost to begin and how much might it cost over the next five years? ten much might it cost over the next five years? ten years? years?