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A saline supply of surface water from Red Bluff Reservoir on the Pecos River is used in small quantities but groundwater is the principal source of irrigation water supply in the region. The supply of groundwater in the Trans-Pecos region is declining. Pumpage exceeds natural recharge to the aquifers. The groundwater pumped for irrigation is also becoming more saline as the result of natural saline water encroachment in the aquifer, and possibly as a result of the recycling of water applied for irrigation. The total area irrigated was 250,000 acres in 1958, 284,000 acres in 1964, 174,000 acres in 1969, and 177,000 acres in 1974. A number of areas along the Pecos River in Reeves County are no longer cultivated because of poor quality and inadequate amounts of water in most years. The grou~dwater used in Reeves County is high in soluble salts, averaging four tons per acre-foot. Heavy water applica- tions, salt-tolerant crops such as cotton, and the moderate permeability of the soils permit tne~-u8e of this water for irriga- tion. Deterioration ot water quality of the Pecos River, largely from natural brine emissions in New Mexico, has virtually pre- cluded its use f.or irrigation purposes despite operation of the Malaga Bend Division of the McMillan Delta Project. The objective of this project, operated by the Bureau of Reclamation is to alleviate the salinity problems, which results from the artesian discharge of brine from the Rustler Aquifer into the Pecos River by pumping the aquifer to reduce the artesian pressure. Brine pumped from the aquifer is disposed of in an off-channel natural depression where it evaporates. However, renewed studies of more feasible ways of reducing the natural brine emissions in all parts of the area are needed. ,.".. .''''' 1.1.: '" _ <.. .J 56