Climate change, overuse send the Middle Rio Grande into ‘dire’ situation

Climate change and other factors threaten the Middle Rio Grande, with some warning of a looming battle over its water.

By: Laura Paskus

Outlets: Source New Mexico

Published: March 20, 2026

Words: 1,036

Last Updated: 21 hours, 11 minutes ago

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Last summer, the Middle Rio Grande through Albuquerque dried for about 50 days. This year, the river will dry again — as early as May.

Irrigation season will be short, fire danger will be high and Albuquerque’s largest drinking water utility will again switch from diverting river water to relying exclusively on groundwater.

Long-term data reveals clear warming and drying trends, said Jason Casuga, the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District’s chief engineer and …

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