Article Summary –
The US government has pledged $60 million to projects aimed at increasing the resilience of the Rio Grande river to climate change and growing pressures. The move marks the first disbursement from the Inflation Reduction Act for a basin outside of the Colorado River system. Measures will range from capturing more stormwater runoff to improving existing infrastructure, with expected savings of tens of thousands of acre-feet of water; an acre-foot provides approximately enough water for two to three US households annually.
US Government Invests $60M in Rio Grande Resiliency Projects Amid Climate Change
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The US government will allocate $60 million in the coming years for climate resilience projects along the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico and West Texas. This funding, announced by U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, aims to adapt the river to climate change and increased demands.
This disbursement, the first from the Inflation Reduction Act for a basin outside the Colorado River system, comes as the West experiences unprecedented drought effects. Haaland emphasized the importance of water conservation and investment in water projects.
Haaland highlighted recent drought-induced dry spells in parts of the Rio Grande. This decades-long drought has led to record-low water levels throughout the basin, impacting communities, cities, and agricultural sectors along the river.
As one of North America’s major rivers, the Rio Grande provides drinking water for millions and irrigates thousands of farms. A recent legal case is seeking U.S. Supreme Court approval for a settlement providing more flexibility in river management among New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado.
Various organizations, including the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, will develop projects with irrigation districts in southern New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. These initiatives aim to benefit both the river and the endangered species within the basin.
Their projects will range from capturing more stormwater runoff to improving infrastructure. The water savings could result in tens of thousands of acre-feet, with an acre-foot being sufficient to serve two to three US households annually.
The Inflation Reduction Act authorizes $4 billion for drought mitigation in 17 western states, primarily the Colorado River Basin. But it also reserves $500 million for similar projects in other drought-affected basins. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will announce further funding later this year.
Persistent drought and heavy groundwater pumping on the Rio Grande have dwindled surface water supplies, cutting efficiency and diminishing wildlife habitat. By capturing more stormwater and augmenting storage, officials aim to recharge aquifers and decrease irrigation demands.
Efforts to conserve water, shield communities from seasonal flooding, and restore habitats are already underway in areas like Elephant Butte Irrigation District in southern New Mexico. District representatives traveled to Albuquerque to discuss their proposed projects, terming the initiatives as “re-plumbing” the West with adaptable irrigation and flood control systems.
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