SW New Mexico News

The National Groundwater Association conference held in Albuquerque in early February was attended by water planners and hydrologists from the western U.S. The themes were water, changing climate and energy.

Rivers and streams dominate Western water conversations. Even so, underground water is crucial in preparing for the future and shaping the water policy, according to Albuquerque Journal.

Climatologists predicted how rivers and aquifers in New Mexico would be affected by increased drought, growing hotter seasons and minimal snowpack.

Assistant professor in the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Arizona Laura Condon had plenty to say about the conference.

“We’re seeing sustained losses in groundwater and aquifers around the world,” Condon told the Albuquerque Journal. “If we’re going to get the data right about how much water we have in storage, we need to think deeper. Groundwater needs to be included in the equation.”

According to New Mexico’s 2018 water plan, it’s estimated that some communities such as Portlanes and Clovis, together with their surroundings, are relying on a water supply that might be depleted in the next five years.

Texas Water Development Board groundwater Resources Director Larry French also shared some concerns regarding the state of water in Texas. According to French, the Texas system hasn’t helped to ease water problems since it creates complex water policies.

“When they turned the pumps on for large irrigated agricultural operations southwest of town, the springs dried up,” French told the Albuquerque Journal regarding the aquifer depletion in Texas. “Now there is an initiative asking if Comanche Springs can flow again. They’re looking at working with farmers to reduce pumping and examining potential economic boom of the springs flowing again.”

In the early 20th century, the town of Fort Stockton thrived with the springs as a recreation area. The water supplies are measurably lower in more recent years.