New Mexico and Rio Grande Water Journalism Project
We've expanded our support for water journalism in the Southwest.
Supported by the Thornburg Foundation and the Water Funder Initiative
Project announcements
Water Desk to support New Mexico and Rio Grande water journalism
The Water Desk is launching a new program to support water-related journalism in New Mexico and the Rio Grande Basin.
New Mexico and Rio Grande Journalism Project
This page explains how journalists can apply to The Water Desk for funding to support their coverage of water issues connected to New Mexico and the Rio Grande.
We will...
Stories and reports
The Rio Grande isn’t just a border – it’s a river in crisis
The river is in decline, suffering from overuse, drought and contentious water rights negotiations.
Once ‘paradise,’ parched Colorado valley grapples with arsenic in water
Decades of climate change-driven drought, combined with the overpumping of aquifers, is making the valley desperately dry — and appears to be intensifying the levels of heavy metals in drinking water.
Farmers weigh tough choices as uncertain water future looms
With unpredictable water resources, farmers in New Mexico must gamble in order to keep their agricultural production viable.
Diverting the Rio Grande into a grown-over, decades-old canal could cut New Mexico’s water...
New Mexico once again owes Texas a massive water debt, so water managers are considering resurrecting the original purpose of the channel.
Grantee stories
Once ‘paradise,’ parched Colorado valley grapples with arsenic in water
Decades of climate change-driven drought, combined with the overpumping of aquifers, is making the valley desperately dry — and appears to be intensifying the levels of heavy metals in drinking water.
Farmers weigh tough choices as uncertain water future looms
With unpredictable water resources, farmers in New Mexico must gamble in order to keep their agricultural production viable.
Diverting the Rio Grande into a grown-over, decades-old canal could cut New Mexico’s water...
New Mexico once again owes Texas a massive water debt, so water managers are considering resurrecting the original purpose of the channel.
Amid a withering drought, New Mexico leaders struggle to plan for life with less...
New Mexico faces tough choices as a dire and historic drought continues and the Rio Grande is unable to give everyone what they want or need.
In New Mexico, Partners Collaborate to End Siege from Megafires
Initiative in the Rio Grande basin intends to thwart catastrophic wildfires that wreck watersheds.
Data viz: Elephant Butte Reservoir levels
Last update: September 21, 2022
Percent of total capacity
Source: US Bureau of Reclamation
Data viz: Navajo Lake levels
Last update: September 21, 2022
Percent of total capacity
Source: US Bureau of Reclamation
Map: Rio Grande drought tracker
This map depicts data from the National Drought Mitigation Center. Drought intensity categories are based on numerous indicators and local reports from more than 350 expert observers around the...
Map: New Mexico drought tracker
This map depicts data from the National Drought Mitigation Center. Drought intensity categories are based on numerous indicators and local reports from more than 350 expert observers around the...
Map: New Mexico monthly precipitation
This map shows total rain and snowfall in the New Mexico every month from 1981 to the present. The map's color scale runs from white (no precipitation), to blue (significant precipitation) to red (intense precipitation)....
Related multimedia
Photos and videos: Rio Grande near Taos Junction Bridge, June 2023
This page features ground-based and drone-captured photos and videos of the Rio Grande in northern New Mexico near the Taos Junction Bridge and the river's confluence with the Rio...
Photos and videos: Rio Chama rafting, May 2023
This page features photos and videos from a wilderness rafting trip on the Rio Chama in northern New Mexico.
The Rio Chama is a major tributary of the Rio Grande...
Photos and videos: Rio Grande near San Antonio, New Mexico, August 2022
This page features drone-captured photos and videos of the Rio Grande near San Antonio, New Mexico.
Located in the center of the state, the village of San Antonio has fewer...
Photos and videos: Rio Grande near Fort Craig, New Mexico, August 2022
This page features drone-captured photos and videos of the Rio Grande near Fort Craig, New Mexico
Established in 1854, Fort Craig was the site of the largest Civil War battle...
Photos: Heron Lake, New Mexico, August 2022
This page features ground-based photos of Heron Lake, a reservoir that stores water for the San Juan-Chama Project in northern New Mexico.
Located along Willow Creek, near its confluence with...