Water is the essence of all existence. When rivers flow plentifully, no one thinks twice about where it all comes from until the crops start to wilt and the lands turn brown. New Mexico has gone through dry spells before, but the last 35 years of drought pale in comparison to this one.
The lack of precipitation is very apparent when looking to the Rio Grande and noticing its low, and in some places, nonexistent water level.
“I think it’s highly likely that we will be running out of water sometime this summer,” said David Gensler, hydrologist for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District.
A heavy monsoon season late this summer seems to be the only hope for farmers along the Rio Grande hoping to avert great losses in their cash crops and to avoid raising prices for business and consumers.
