Operational Update – July 10
As of Sunday, July 6, all available MRGCD storage water is depleted and as of Thursday, July 10, current native flow is insufficient to meet *Prior and Paramount (P&P) Pueblo lands. This means that all irrigation deliveries to non-Pueblo lands upstream of Isleta Pueblo will be curtailed. The areas impacted by the suspended deliveries include: Peña Blanca, Sile, Algodones, Bernalillo and the Greater Albuquerque area. This curtailment is temporary and may be lifted if rainfall increases the water supply, allowing irrigation deliveries to impacted non-Pueblo lands to resume. MRGCD farmers are encouraged to be prepared to take deliveries on short notice if supply becomes available.
*Certain Pueblo lands have been designated by the U.S. Congress as having ‘Prior and Paramount’ (P&P) water rights. During times of shortage, these lands are entitled to receive water ahead of all MRGCD lands. Accordingly, MRGCD coordinates with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Designated Engineer to ensure P&P water deliveries are made in compliance with these federal obligations.
Operational Update – July 3 – 5:00 pm
Yesterday’s rain events throughout areas of the District provided some welcomed relief for farmers and irrigators; however, the high-intensity storm did cause some disruption to our infrastructure, specifically in Valencia County, on east side of the river. MRGCD crews are working to make necessary repairs, as quickly as damp conditions will allow.
MRGCD water managers are still working with a limited supply for deliveries and encourage water users to take delivery on short notice if supply is available.
Ongoing Efforts: recent high-intensity storms, including the June 24 event, have resulted in substantial sediment disposition, requiring our team to suspend operations on the lower Belen Highline. This operational pause has halted irrigation deliveries south of the 240 Feeder Canal, including the Highline itself, Harlan Lateral, Tibo Feeder, Sanchez Feeder, Garcia Extension, and to some extent the Sabinal and Jaral Laterals.
MRGCD ISOs will keep water users aware of changes as we continue repairs and monitoring weather and its impacts.
Earlier today, we released a statement acknowledging that the MRGCD service area was facing a critical shortage of water. Today’s rainfall was welcomed and a much-needed turn of events.
While the rainfall brings real relief to farmers across the District, rain events like today’s puts pressure on our infrastructure and can lead to flooding and conveyance issues. Our team is actively monitoring the weather, responding to problem areas, and working to protect the integrity of our system.
We ask the public to stay alert and avoid flooded or fast-moving waterways. We also thank our farmers and communities for their continued patience and understanding as we navigate these changing conditions; welcoming the water, but also managing its impact.
MRGCD water users: please be prepared to take delivery on short notice if conditions allow. Please monitor our website and social media channels for additional information as it becomes available to our team.
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Notice to MRGCD Water Users: Severe Water Shortages to Impact Irrigation Deliveries
MRGCD understands the challenges that current river conditions are creating for farmers and irrigators. We remain hopeful that summer rain runoff will help replenish supplies and improve conditions for all water users. Water users are encouraged to take delivery on short notice if conditions suddenly improve.
Operational Update: June 24, 2025
Start of SJCP Release: Monday, June 16, 2025
As of Monday, June 16, the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) began releasing San Juan-Chama Project (SJCP) water from storage. This action was taken to help offset declining natural river flows and maintain irrigation water supply to users throughout the District.
Expected Depletion: By End of Week (June 28, 2025)
MRGCD water managers project that stored SJCP water will be exhausted by the end of this week. This outlook remains unchanged even with some anticipated rainfall, as demand continues to exceed available supply. MRGCD water managers are getting ready for severe water shortages and the possibility of the river channel drying in the Albuquerque area.
Impact to MRGCD Water Users
With no additional stored water available:
- Irrigation deliveries to water users in the MRGCD service area will be limited or completely suspended, unless natural river flows allow.
- Certain Pueblo lands that have been designated as Prior and Paramount carry priority right over all other lands of the MRGCD. If the Bureau of Indian Affairs determines that the natural river flow is not enough to meet the needs of these lands, then all non-pueblo lands north of Isleta Pueblo will be curtailed.
- Additional updates may be provided if conditions or forecasts change.
Impact to Corrales Area Water Users
- The pumps are projected to shut down by the end of the week unless upstream rainfall sustains flows.
- The shutdown is due to insufficient natural flow and the end of supplemental releases from SJCP storage.
- If rain runoff improves river conditions, MRGCD may resume pump operations and temporarily restore irrigation deliveries as conditions allow.