Navigating New Mexico's Water Future

Navigating New Mexico's Water Future is a comprehensive story map that explores regional water planning across the Land of Enchantment, emphasizing how water serves as the lifeblood of New Mexico's diverse ecosystems, communities, and economies. The application details the history of water planning in New Mexico, beginning with the state's pioneering regional water planning law from 1987 and culminating in the 2023 Water Security Planning Act that replaced the previous statute and established new water security planning regions through the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC). The story map illustrates how each region faces unique water challenges—from groundwater depletion in eastern areas to surface water variability in the west—and showcases tailored strategies including conservation measures, infrastructure improvements, and policy initiatives. Through interactive maps displaying water planning council boundaries, population distributions, and estimated water use data from 2020, the application demonstrates the collaborative approach involving state agencies, local governments, tribal entities, and public participation that ensures diverse perspectives are considered in developing resilient water management strategies. The story map concludes with a forward-looking perspective on adaptive management, highlighting how the Water Security Planning Act will empower stakeholders and New Mexico Regional Water Planning Councils to use data-driven approaches for prioritizing projects and preparing for future challenges through predictive models, community outreach programs, and public-private partnerships.