Description
Although Rio Grande flows are far below historical levels, our water uses are not. In the Middle Rio Grande, routine overuse depletes water legally owed to users below Elephant Butte—placing the state and local users in legal jeopardy. This talk explains the roots of the crisis, the consequences of continued overuse, and what state and local governments must do now to avoid violating the Rio Grande Compact and protect the middle valley’s water future.
Norm Gaume is a retired New Mexico professional water engineer whose career spans nearly five decades of leadership, advocacy, and public service. He currently serves as President of New Mexico Water Advocates, a non-profit focused on water supply security and governance. He holds an academic appointment as faculty Research Scholar at the University of New Mexico, and has served as a Fulbright subject matter expert on a Middle Rio Grande case study.