Storage Resolution Overview – May 11 Board Meeting
Considering increasingly difficult hydrologic conditions across the Middle Rio Grande Valley, the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) continues working closely with federal, tribal, municipal, and agricultural partners to manage limited water supplies responsibly and collaboratively. Protecting the rights of all District irrigators is one of MRGCD’s highest priorities, particularly as drought, compact obligations, and reservoir operations place growing pressure on the river system. This resolution is intended to provide transparency regarding the District’s understanding of existing water rights, storage operations, and operational responsibilities, while also reaffirming MRGCD’s commitment to coordination, communication, and proactive water management throughout the Middle Rio Grande Valley.
The resolution was discussed by the MRGCD Board of Directors during its May 11, 2026 Board Meeting. The District encourages members of the public to review both the summary and the full resolution and submit any comments or feedback to pio@mrgcd.us no later than May 29, 2026.
What Does This Resolution Say
The resolution reaffirms MRGCD’s position towards longstanding “prior and paramount” water rights of the Six Middle Rio Grande Pueblos while also asserting that MRGCD’s senior natural flow and diversion rights—particularly those tied to lands irrigated before September 4, 1923—must remain protected against impairment caused by reservoir storage operations at El Vado and Abiquiu Reservoirs.
The resolution traces the legal and historical framework behind these rights, including federal laws, interstate agreements, reservoir permits, and contracts involving the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Pueblos.
The resolution ultimately directs MRGCD leadership to actively monitor and defend the District’s senior water rights if storage operations interfere with irrigation deliveries or other protected uses.
Key Takeaways
The resolution recognizes that the Six Middle Rio Grande Pueblos hold federally recognized “prior and paramount” water rights for lands irrigated since time immemorial that are senior to all other natural flow and diversion rights in the Middle Rio Grande Valley.
MRGCD asserts that many of its own natural flow and diversion rights predate reservoir storage rights tied to El Vado Reservoir and therefore carry senior priority under New Mexico water law to any storage right at El Vado Reservoir, including Pueblo and non-Pueblo storage.
MRGCD has not waived its right to challenge or seek priority administration against junior storage rights if those operations impair MRGCD’s senior natural flow rights.
The resolution supports continued discussions and possible revisions to the 1981 Agreement governing Pueblo storage operations, provided Pueblo water rights can be protected without compromising MRGCD’s rights.
MRGCD believes the Pueblos should have the right to carry-over water stored for Prior and Paramount Lands from year to year, provided the storage of such water does not compromise MRGCD’s rights.
The resolution does not seek to infringe upon Pueblo water rights; rather, it seeks clarification and protection of priority administration between natural flow rights and stored water rights.