Texas, New Mexico, Colorado Settle Rio Grande Water Dispute

After more than a decade of litigation, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, and the United States have reached a settlement in the long-running Rio Grande water dispute, which is now pending review by a special master appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court. The agreement updates water accounting formulas and the Rio Grande Project's operating manual to better reflect modern hydrology and scarcity, while requiring New Mexico to reduce groundwater pumping by forfeiting about 5.9 billion gallons annually to meet its obligations to Texas. The settlement also allows New Mexico to transfer water rights from the Elephant Butte Irrigation District, compensating it accordingly, and aims to provide more certainty and flexibility for water users throughout the basin. Officials emphasize that the deal represents a significant milestone for managing scarce water resources, balancing the needs of farmers, cities, and environmental concerns in the region. This settlement is part of a broader effort to resolve conflicts between groundwater and surface water users and to ensure fair apportionment under the Rio Grande Compact. The final approval by the Supreme Court is expected following a hearing in September.