The proposal to NOAA provides detailed information on what the PRP team will do. Please read it carefully. Ju rez region. The study region includes the reach of the Rio Grande from the Elephant Butte reservoir in New Mexico downstream to Fort Quitman, Texas. Population growth has been rapid in the past, and will continue at 6 to 7 percent.
Annual rainfall is a skimpy eight inches.
The aquifer has a very slow recharge rate, and will run dry by 2030. Serious salinity problems will occur even earlier. Several options exist to meet the future water needs of the growing population, industry and agriculture. The single most important change will be a gradual shift from ground water use to water from the Rio Grande. This will not be easy, because farmers would have to give up part of their water rights.