Tag: drought

After years of drier La Niña influences, a strengthening El Niño offers New Mexico hope for moisture relief — but also brings risks of extreme rain, flooding and unpredictable extremes in a warming climate.

New Mexico's forests are facing growing pressure from drought, rising temperatures and a dramatic increase in bark beetle infestations, according to a new state report. Scientists say climate-driven stress is leaving ponderosa and piñon forests increasingly vulnerable, raising concerns about the long-term health of one of the Southwest's defining landscapes.

The USDA has declared all 33 New Mexico counties drought disaster areas, giving farmers and ranchers access to emergency loans as severe drought tightens its grip across the state.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s approval of a landmark Rio Grande settlement ends a 13-year water war between Texas, New Mexico and the federal government, giving New Mexico farmers certainty while helping the state avoid potentially devastating financial penalties. The agreement reshapes water management in the drought-stricken Southwest and signals a rare legal and political victory for New Mexico in an era of escalating climate pressures.

Facing worsening drought and shrinking freshwater reserves, New Mexico is investing millions in brackish water desalination and underground aquifer mapping. State officials say the initiative could help secure drought-resilient water supplies for future generations, particularly in rural and tribal communities.

New Mexico regulators voted to revive a contentious rulemaking process that could expand the use of treated oil and gas wastewater beyond drilling sites, reigniting a fierce clash between industry advocates and environmental groups over public health, water scarcity and political influence.

As Albuquerque’s Rail Yards Market opens for the season, local farmers say soaring fuel costs and worsening drought conditions are threatening their livelihoods. Some growers are raising prices to survive, while others absorb losses to keep produce affordable. Community-supported programs at the market are helping small farms weather mounting economic and climate pressures.

“Land with No Rider” listens to aging ranchers in New Mexico's southwest, whose voices echo a fading way of life shaped by land, loss, and quiet resilience.

Water levels along the Middle Rio Grande are already shrinking early in the irrigation season, prompting officials to warn farmers to plan carefully amid uncertain supply.

New Mexico is experiencing a historic March heat wave, with temperatures soaring into the 90s while snowpack levels plunge to record lows. Experts warn this convergence threatens water supplies, agriculture, and ecosystems across the Southwest, underscoring the urgent need for climate adaptation.