LOOKING FABULOUS RIGHT NOW. ALL RIGHT. THE RAIN WE’RE EXPECTING TODAY IS A WELCOME SIGHT. CERTAINLY ALSO FEELS NICE AS WELL, PARTICULARLY AFTER THE DRY AND WARM WINTER WE’VE HAD. BUT MAJOR CONCERNS PERSIST AMONG THE BIGGEST THE LACK OF WATER IN THE RIO GRANDE AS THE SPRING RUNOFF FALLS WAY SHORT. OUR ALYSSA MUNOZ MUNOZ JOINS US LIVE. GOOD MORNING ALYSSA. WHAT DO PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW HERE? GOOD MORNING MIGUEL. YEAH. THE RAIN THIS MORNING WAS A NICE SIGHT. BUT THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT SAYS THAT THIS IS THE WORST SNOWPACK SEASON THEY’VE SEEN IN A WHILE. AND THEY SAY IT’S ACTUALLY LEAVING THE RIO GRANDE LOOKING MORE LIKE IT DOES IN LATE SUMMER THAN SPRING. EARLIER THIS MONTH. THE RIVER FLOWS INCREASED BECAUSE OF LOW ELEVATION SNOW MELT, ALLOWING FOR EARLY WATER DELIVERIES. BUT OFFICIALS SAY THOSE FLOWS HAVE SINCE DROPPED BY 30%. WITH THIS IN MIND, WATER DELIVERIES WILL CONTINUE ON A ROTATIONAL BASIS, BUT LIMITED FLEXIBILITY AND SCHEDULING, SO THOSE WHO RELY ON THE WATER MIGHT EXPERIENCE LONGER WAIT TIMES BETWEEN DELIVERIES, AND FEWER CANALS MAY OPERATE. WHILE OFFICIALS SAY THERE MAY BE A SECOND RUNOFF, PEOPLE SHOULD START PREPARING NOW. I THINK ALL THE COMMUNITIES ALONG THE VALLEY ARE GOING TO BE IMPACTED, AT LEAST FROM THE WAY THAT THEY ENJOY THE RIVER, BUT THE COMMUNITIES WHO WILL BE IMPACTED FROM HOW THEY ACTUALLY USE THE WATER WILL BE THE IRRIGATING AND FARMING COMMUNITIES. NOW, HE ALSO SAYS FOR FARMERS OR ANYONE WHO RELIES ON THIS WATER, THAT THEY SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE WHEN WATER IS AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY DON’T KNOW WHEN IT WI
Rio Grande faces water shortage after dry winter
“The communities who will be impacted from how they actually use the water will be the irrigating and farming communities,” said Jason Casuga, chief engineer and CEO for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District.
The rain expected today is a welcome sight, particularly after the dry and warm winter, but major concerns persist about the lack of water in the Rio Grande as the spring runoff falls way short.The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District says this is one of the worst snowpack seasons they have seen, leaving the Rio Grande looking more like it does in late summer than spring.Earlier this month, river flows increased because of low-elevation snowmelt, allowing early water deliveries. But officials say those flows have since dropped by 30 percent. With this in mind, water deliveries will continue on a rotational basis with limited flexibility in scheduling. Those who rely on the water might experience longer wait times between deliveries and fewer canals may operate.While officials say there may be a second runoff, people should start preparing now.”I think all the communities along the Middle Valley are going to be impacted, at least from the way that they enjoy the river. But the communities who will be impacted from how they actually use the water will be the irrigating and farming communities,” said Jason Casuga, chief engineer and CEO for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. “The hydrologic reality that we are experiencing as a community is our mountains have been producing less snow year over year. We may get a great year in there, but the trend seems to be, more down years than good.”He also said farmers and those who need water should take it right away when it’s available because you never know when it will be available again. Casuga added, the impacts will reach beyond agriculture. He warned low river levels could affect recreation, wildlife habitat, the bosque and even municipal water operations. He also urged people to be careful near the river because dry conditions increase fire danger and exposed or buried infrastructure could pose safety risks.
The rain expected today is a welcome sight, particularly after the dry and warm winter, but major concerns persist about the lack of water in the Rio Grande as the spring runoff falls way short.
The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District says this is one of the worst snowpack seasons they have seen, leaving the Rio Grande looking more like it does in late summer than spring.
Earlier this month, river flows increased because of low-elevation snowmelt, allowing early water deliveries. But officials say those flows have since dropped by 30 percent. With this in mind, water deliveries will continue on a rotational basis with limited flexibility in scheduling. Those who rely on the water might experience longer wait times between deliveries and fewer canals may operate.
While officials say there may be a second runoff, people should start preparing now.
“I think all the communities along the Middle Valley are going to be impacted, at least from the way that they enjoy the river. But the communities who will be impacted from how they actually use the water will be the irrigating and farming communities,” said Jason Casuga, chief engineer and CEO for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. “The hydrologic reality that we are experiencing as a community is our mountains have been producing less snow year over year. We may get a great year in there, but the trend seems to be, more down years than good.”
He also said farmers and those who need water should take it right away when it’s available because you never know when it will be available again. Casuga added, the impacts will reach beyond agriculture. He warned low river levels could affect recreation, wildlife habitat, the bosque and even municipal water operations. He also urged people to be careful near the river because dry conditions increase fire danger and exposed or buried infrastructure could pose safety risks.
