Urbanization issues in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District
Date
2011-04
Authors
Skaggs, Rhonda, author
Demouche, Leeann, author
Holmes, Tyler, author
Samani, Zohrab, author
Bawazir, A. Salim, author
U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Numerous rapidly growing urban areas in the western United States are located in irrigated river valleys. Agricultural irrigation in these communities is being affected by urbanization, and the characteristics and objectives of the irrigator population are also changing. New Mexico's Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) encompasses the rapidly growing Albuquerque metropolitan area. The South Valley is one of the state's oldest traditional agricultural communities, and is located on the southern fringe of Albuquerque within the MRGCD. South Valley irrigated agriculture is in a state of transition, and many lands that were previously used to produce a diverse mix of fruits, vegetables, grains and forages have been converted into commercial and residential development. A few relatively large farms continue to operate in the area; however, hundreds of small or micro-scale irrigated properties are located in the South Valley. These small rural-residential properties predominately apply MRGCD irrigation water to hay and pasture. Little is known about agronomic, irrigation, or marketing practices on South Valley micro-farms, as well as the economic outcomes or impacts of irrigation water use. A team of New Mexico State University researchers is currently surveying MRGCD irrigators, measuring alfalfa consumptive use, and attempting to quantify the economic impact of South Valley irrigated agriculture.
Description
Presented at Emerging challenges and opportunities for irrigation managers: energy, efficiency and infrastructure: a USCID water management conference held on April 26-29, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.