Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Announces Start of 2025 Irrigation Season
Water managers prepare for scarce spring runoff
Albuquerque, NM – Water managers at the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District will begin charging the middle valley irrigation system on February 24. The process of “charging” flushes and cleans out the canals and can reveal infrastructure issues that must be addressed before the start of water deliveries.
During the off-season, the MRGCD tackles major infrastructure projects, maintains district facilities and monitors winter weather conditions. “At this point, we are observing a below-average snowpack, anticipating a minimal spring runoff and cannot currently store native (to the Rio Grande) water. Our team, along with farmers in the middle valley, are hoping for a heavy monsoon season,” said Anne Marken, MRGCD water operations manager.
The start of the irrigation season varies due to several factors, including water availability, weather and soil conditions, Pueblo and water user needs and the Rio Grande Compact. On Monday, MRGCD will open diversions at Angostura, Isleta and San Acacia to begin charging the irrigation system. Contingent upon river levels, water will also be withdrawn from the river to charge and deliver to the Corrales service area through the emergency pumping operation.
“Our goal is to begin irrigation deliveries by mid-March, with some areas potentially receiving water sooner. We anticipate that initial agricultural demand will be higher than usual given dry soil moisture conditions. Irrigators and farmers in the north are not expected to request much water until late March or early April, but it depends on crops, soils, and weather conditions. Typically, the demand surges in early April, with most water users looking for their first delivery, however processing deliveries always depends on available water supply,” said Matt Martinez, MRGCD’s water distribution division manager.
Middle valley water users should be aware that MRGCD has enough flow to start up with, and to deliver water to farms, but it must be carefully managed. If water users have questions about their property status, the process for scheduling water, infrastructure concerns or other topics, they are encouraged to visit MRGCD’s website www.mrgcd.com for information on who to contact at MRGCD.
About the MRGCD
The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) operates, maintains and manages irrigation, drainage and river flood control in the middle valley. Serving approximately 11,000 irrigators, six pueblos and 100,000 parcels of land throughout the Middle Rio Grande, MRGCD is essential to maintaining the facilities required to upkeep the agricultural production in this area. The MRGCD owns and manages 30,000 acres of bosque, and has helped to establish Tingley Beach, the Rio Grande Nature Center, Los Lunas Bosque Open Space, Corrales Bosque Preserve, Escondido Lake State Park, among several more and all of which are open for recreational use by the public. The MRGCD also works in cooperation with other local, state, and federal agencies to protect the environment, wildlife, and endangered species. To learn more about the MRGCD visit www.mrgcd.com.