Water Allocated Amid Drought

The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District is getting 20,000 acre feet of water amid continuing drought. Scott Verhines, the New Mexico State Engineer and Rio Grande Compact Commissioner for New Mexico, recently announced the water allocation to help farmers and water users in the area.

New Mexico is entering the third drought year in a row. El Vado Reservoir is almost empty and officials say storage restrictions determined by the Rio Grande Compact are in effect. Officials say these conditions place great stress on the entire Rio Grande corridor.

New Mexico is currently working with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to secure an agreement for storing the allocated water in El Vado Reservoir.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.