That water is diverted from Colorado to New Mexico and flows through the Rio Grande. Harris of Rio Grande Restoration said strong drought thresholds are needed to ensure some water is left in the river in dry years. The city plans to pump extra water from the river into the aquifer in wet years and then use the aquifer as a drought reserve. Hicks said the city's environmental impact study will evaluate the effects the San Juan-Chama project will have on the river. The potential drying of the river in its southern reaches because of drought and upstream user demands, and the threat that poses to the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow.
Environmentalists say the small fish is a sign of the problems with the river.
Without real changes, they're not going to survive and the river's not going to survive. Several lawsuits that could affect the minnow and the river. Conservationists last fall sued to force the federal government to take control of more river water and use it to help the minnow and the endangered Southwest willow flycatcher. A major study by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission. That analysis of how federal agencies manage water in the state must integrate the needs of fish and wildlife, Otto said.