New Mexico Faces 25% Water Reduction by 2050: Officials Push for Strengthening Strategic Water Reserve

A recent report predicts that New Mexico’s rivers and streams could experience a 25 percent decrease in water flow by 2050, primarily due to the impacts of climate change. In response, state officials are advocating for updates to a nearly 20-year-old law aimed at preserving water levels across the state.

The Role of the Strategic Water Reserve

“New Mexico is about to confront the effects of climate change head-on. We’re already seeing those impacts in terms of forest fires and post-fire flooding,” said Hannah Riseley-White, director of the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission. “That makes the Strategic Water Reserve an increasingly critical tool for New Mexico.”

Established in 2005, the Strategic Water Reserve allows the state to purchase or lease water rights to maintain river and stream flows. This initiative serves two key purposes: compliance with interstate water compacts and the protection of endangered species. As climate change continues to intensify, the importance of the Reserve is becoming more evident.

Calls for Strengthening the Strategic Water Reserve

This week, the Interstate Stream Commission, along with conservation groups, presented their recommendations to state lawmakers at the Water and Natural Resources Interim Committee. The primary focus was on enhancing the Strategic Water Reserve to meet the challenges posed by climate change.

“The Strategic Water Reserve is a really unique tool that does a lot of things at once. It incentivizes water conservation, prevents shortages, protects our wildlife, and avoids costly litigation that could arise if we fall behind on our obligations,” said Anjali Bean, senior policy advisor for Western Resource Advocates. However, she emphasized that the Reserve has been chronically underfunded.

Key Recommendations for Improvement

Advocates are pushing for permanent, stable funding for the Reserve. Additionally, they propose simplifying the law to cut down on bureaucratic red tape, which currently hinders the state’s ability to compete with other buyers in acquiring water rights. They also recommend expanding the law’s scope to include “recreational use” as a valid reason for purchasing and leasing water rights.

Legislative Support and Future Review

Senator Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) expressed her support for the funding requests and urged the advocates to gain the backing of the governor’s office. “There’s just really no excuse for us not funding this. So, I just implore you to have this be part of the administration’s ask, otherwise, it just feels like it’s all coming from us and we’re not working together and we don’t get it and we forget about it,” Sen. Stewart said.

In addition to these recommendations, the Interstate Stream Commission is preparing for a 20-year review of the Strategic Water Reserve to assess its effectiveness and identify further improvements.