New Mexico faces a daunting challenge—the State’s demand for fresh water exceeds the supply from all sources. The problem will be exacerbated in the 21st Century by a combination of factors, including global climate change, increasing population, constraints associated with traditional water rights and interstate water compacts, and the general lack of scientific knowledge applicable and available to local and regional planners and policymakers. The largest source of surface water in NM is the Rio Grande, which derives between half and three-quarters of its dependable surface water supply from high elevation snowpack in its northern, mountainous headwaters region. Long-term climate change warming trends combined with the predicted climate impacts of extended droughts present an extreme challenge to water management in NM. It is critically important for NM to understand the effects of global climate changes on its mountain sources of water.

NM EPSCoR RII3 is designed to enhance research competitiveness through investment in three strategic areas: (1) critical Research Infrastructure, (2) Cyberinfrastructure, and (3) Human Infrastructure. The multi-disciplinary, multi-scale effort is envisioned to transform climate change science and policymaking in NM by providing the tools required for quantitative, science-driven discussion of difficult water policy options facing the State in the 21st Century.