The El Niño cycle is the best known, and best understood, oceanic phenomenon that modulates drought in New Mexico. El Niño is an enormous tongue of anomalously warm Pacific Ocean surface water extending along the equator westward from the South American coast.
Can New Mexico run out of water?
“It could be 100 years, or 80 years, or 60 years — we’ve got a limited amount of water,” says Dave DuBois, New Mexico’s state climatologist. “We’ve got these long horizons, but that doesn’t mean we need to blow through that and then figure out what to do.”
Is New Mexico in a drought 2022?
As of May 4, 2022, 98.9% of the state is under a moderate drought, 95.8% of the state is under a severe drought, 68% is under an extreme drought, and 15.7% of the state is under exceptional drought conditions.
Is New Mexico suffering a drought?
Drought in New Mexico from 2000–Present
The most intense period of drought occurred the week of January 19, 2021, where D4 affected 54.27% of New Mexico land. The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is a national map released every Thursday, showing parts of the U.S. that are in drought.
Is New Mexico getting drier?
New Mexico’s climate is getting hotter and drier, driven by regional and global warming trends. This means earlier springs, hotter summers, and less predictable winters. Precipitation patterns are also changing, with more intense droughts and a greater proportion of precipitation falling as rain rather than snow.
Where in New Mexico has the most water?
Elephant Butte Lake, located in southern New Mexico, is the state’s largest lake and most popular spot for enjoying the water.
Where does New Mexico get most of its water?
New Mexico relies on both groundwater and surface water sources, but about 87 percent of New Mexico’s public water supply comes from ground water. No other southwestern state gets such a large percentage of its domestic water from groundwater sources.
Has recent rain helped drought?
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, released Thursday, shows improvement after a wet December, but the West remains in drought. California just received more precipitation in the last three months of 2021 than it got in the previous year.
Has the rain helped the fires in New Mexico?
How is the monsoon rain helping with New Mexico’s wildfires and drought? ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Following a dry and windy spring that helped spread what are now the two largest wildfires in state history, monsoon season has arrived in New Mexico with near record setting numbers.
Where does Albuquerque get its water?
Albuquerque and Bernalillo County rely on groundwater from the Santa Fe Group Aquifer and surface water from the San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Project. Groundwater wells combine with the San Juan-Chama project to produce about 32 billion gallons of drinking water for the Water Authority’s service area every year.
Where does Santa Fe New Mexico get its water from?
Santa Fe’s water sources are the Rio Grande, a few groundwater wells, and two reservoirs within the Santa Fe National Forest. The reservoirs make up one-third of Santa Fe’s water supply.
What states are not in a drought?
All of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Illinois, and Indiana are in drought. Drought and/or abnormally dry conditions affect some or all of most states—only Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine have been spared.
Is Santa Fe New Mexico in a drought?
Nearly all of New Mexico is immersed in drought conditions ranging from severe to exceptional, with Santa Fe County grappling with extreme drought.
Is Las Cruces running out of water?
You probably know our region has been in a drought for at least the past 15 years. You know water levels behind Elephant Butte Dam are very low, which limits the water flowing down the Rio Grande and available for irrigation of farm fields. But, Las Cruces Utilities does not pull the city’s water from the Rio Grande.
Will Elephant Butte ever be full again?
“Elephant Butte will probably be dead in 75 years. That sounds like a long time, but it’s just a few generations of farmers, and then they’ll be in a world of hurt for water.” The Elephant Butte dam was built from 1912 to 1916.
Is New Mexico safe from climate change?
Nearly 80,000 people living in New Mexico are especially vulnerable to extreme heat. Currently, New Mexico averages 20 days a year classified as dangerous. By 2050, the state is projected to face twice as many such days, almost 40 a year.
Is there water underground in New Mexico?
Most of New Mexico’s fresh water is stored as groundwater in aquifers or confining layers below the land surface, where it occupies small open spaces between sand or gravel and small fractures in rock.
How much does it cost to drill a water well in New Mexico?
Drilling a residential water well costs $25 to $65 per foot or $3,750 to $15,300 on average for a complete system and installation. Prices include the drilling, a pump, casing, wiring, and more. Total costs largely depend on the depth drilled and the well’s diameter.
Can I drill my own well in NM?
It is illegal to drill a water well in New Mexico if you are not a licensed well driller. While you are allowed to repair and maintain the pump on your own well, you must hire a licensed well driller to drill and construct the initial structure.
How deep is the aquifer in New Mexico?
at least 6,000 feet.
Who uses the most water in New Mexico?
irrigated agriculture
Quick Facts: Over ¾ of New Mexico’s water goes toward irrigated agriculture (76%). Sprinkler and Flood irrigation are used in about 97% of irrigated acres in New Mexico. In the home, toilets use the most water, followed by washing machines & showers.