Lower Rio Grande Basin Water Supply
“Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor
released the Lower Rio Grande Basin Study that evaluated the impacts of climate
change on water demand and supply imbalances along the Rio Grande along the
United States/Mexico border from Fort Quitman, Tex., to the Gulf of Mexico.”
According to Commissioner Connor, this study will provide
water managers with science-based tools to make important future decisions as
they work to meet the region's diverse water needs. It will also help update
water management discussions between the U.S. and Mexico through the International
Boundary Water Commission.
The study concludes that climate change is likely to result
in increased temperatures, decreased precipitation and increased
evapotranspiration. “As a result of climate change, a projected 86,438
acre-feet of water per year will need to be added to the 592,084 acre-feet per
year of supply shortfall predicted in the existing regional planning process in
2060, for a total shortfall of 678,522.”
Water supply disparities made worse by climate change will significantly
reduce the dependability of distributions to all who are dependent on the Rio
Grande’s water via irrigation deliveries.
Seawater desalination, brackish groundwater desalination,
reuse and fresh groundwater development were studied as alternatives to meet the
future water demands. It was found that the brackish groundwater development
was most suitable. “Next, an appraisal-level plan formulation and evaluation
process was conducted to determine potential locations of each regional
brackish groundwater desalination system.”
The Lower Rio Grande Basin Study was established by
Reclamation and the Rio Grande Regional Water Authority and its 53 member individuals.
It was directed in association with the Texas Region M Planning Group, Texas
Water Development Board, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and
International Boundary and Water Commission. It covered a total pf 122,400
square miles and cost $412,798 with the RGWRA paying for 52%.
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