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<br />In the Rio Grande Region of New Mexico surface-water supplies <br />are limited and these supplies are fully appropriated or committed, <br />mostly for irrigation purposes. Uses for other than irrigation of <br />these supplies would require a transfer of use from irrigation. <br />Increased demands for uses other than irrigation could result in <br />drying up large irrigated acreages and would have an adverse impact <br />upon economic, social, and environmental conditions in the region. <br /> <br />Problems of ground-water quality and quantity, flooding, erosion, <br />siltation and sedimentation are being addressed by several existing <br />studies and programs at the local, state, and federal levels. The <br />State recommends ongoing watershed programs that encourage and ut1ize <br />beneficial soil, water, and vegetative management practices be <br />expedited. <br /> <br />Problem No.2 Urban sprawl problems are in evidence in cities <br />that are experiencing rapid growth. Water supply for municipal and <br />industrial purposes are limited except as supplies can be obtained <br />by retirement of irrigation and transfer of that water to municipal <br />and industrial uses. <br /> <br />Problem No.3 In the Rio Grande drainage uncontrolled flood <br />flows could result in major damage in parts of the basin. Quality <br />of water in the Rio Grande decreases progressively downstream. <br />High water tables under irrigated lands in parts of the Middle and <br />Lower Valleys require drainage for adequate crop production. High <br />water use phreatophytic growth invades poorly drained areas, stream <br />channels, and reservoir delta areas. <br /> <br />Problem No.4 In several areas of the region ground water is <br />being mined; that is pumping from an aquifer exceeds recharge and <br />ground-water levels are being lowered. This situation has affected <br />the base flow of the Pecos River and has caused saline water to <br />encroach into the fresh-water portion of the aquifer in the Roswell <br />Artesian Basin in Chaves and Eddy Counties. <br /> <br />In Estancia Basin, Tularosa Basin, Salt Basin, Mimbres Basin, <br />the Nut-Hockett area, and Sunshine Valley ground water is used <br />extensively for irrigation and also supplies municipal and other <br />uses. The supplies are Dumped from ground water in storage at a <br />rate that exceeds recharge and water levels are being lowered. <br />The ground water in storage is limited and it is only a matter of <br />time until pumping will become uneconomical for irrigation and <br />extensive works will be required to supply municipal and other uses. <br /> <br />Except for Estancia and Roswell Artesian Basins, ground water <br />in storage is probably sufficient to last through the period con- <br />sidered herein (1975-2000). In Estancia Basin about 5,900 acres <br />are estimated to go out of production by 2000. Elsewhere because <br />of dwindling ground-water supplies irrigated lands will be reduced <br />commencing shortly after the year 2000. <br /> <br />12 <br /> <br />(':~3~"9 <br />.J ..... V <br />