Water Planning

Water Planning in New Mexico

This year, the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission’s (NMISC) planning team is hosting a statewide open house series to listen and learn from communities across New Mexico. By prioritizing community engagement, local leadership, and scientific rigor, New Mexico is laying the foundation for sustainable water management. These open houses will take place in all 16 of New Mexico’s existing water regions. There will also be input opportunities online. All open houses are published online here.

Water runs through everything, and right now, water is one of the biggest challenges we face in New Mexico.  Evidence suggests that available water supplies in New Mexico are already declining and will be reduced by 25-30% in the coming decades.  Even as availability declines, water use continues to grow.  Rather than wait around, in New Mexico we’re learning from each other, getting more creative, and connecting through the challenge.  Now is our moment to find solutions together.

Like many of our neighbors – New Mexico has a challenge ahead.  But our desert climate is nothing new.  Over our history, we have and will continue to find ways to adapt and sustain in the face of water shortages.  Now is the time to put our knowledge into action, reducing use and planning ahead.  It is a big task – and one that will require all of us.

The State Water Planning Program has conducted regional and state water planning since its creation in 1987. The regional and state water plans are vital tools intended to guide water management in the state to best meet all the state’s water users – now and into the future. Strategic water planning is best informed by accurate and reliable data and engaged citizens, which leads to better implementation.

2020 Water Planning: Stories from around the State

New Mexico Water Data Stories: Water Planning
New Mexico Water Data Stories: Water Quality