Declining Colorado River flows and falling water levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead are highly visible signs of the Southwestern megadrought. Unseen below ground, groundwater reserves in the Colorado River Basin are disappearing just as fast—and in an unexpected new pattern, according to research from Virginia Tech.
Conservation News
New Data Centers in Texas and New Mexico Could Upend Climate Goals — ProPublica
Officials in New Mexico and El Paso, Texas, made plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Neither plan took into account how the construction of three new data centers could upend climate goals in both places.
Source: New Data Centers in Texas and New Mexico Could Upend Climate Goals | ProPublica
How a bid to beat drought drove Corpus Christi to the brink of disaster | TPR
What started as a novel plan to provide an unrestricted water supply to the oil and gas industry turned into a political quagmire that has consumed the city.
Source: How a bid to beat drought drove Corpus Christi to the brink of disaster | TPR
Refugio Groundwater Conservation District seeks 152 additional monitoring wells | Refugio County Press | southtexasnews.com
REFUGIO – The Refugio Groundwater Conservation District is seeking 152 additional wells for monitoring as county officials warn that industrial development, groundwater exports and potential changes in state law could
The Effects of Population Growth on Water Supplies – NumbersUSA
Explore how immigration-driven population growth increases demand on America’s limited water supplies, reducing reserve capacity during droughts and emergencies.
Source: The Effects of Population Growth on Water Supplies | NumbersUSA
In New Mexico’s Oil Country, People Ask: What Happened to Our Water and Air?
Decades of oil and gas production have transformed communities along the Pecos River. Attitudes have changed, too.
Source: In New Mexico’s Oil Country, People Ask: What Happened to Our Water and Air? | Capital & Main
Who Corpus Christi voters elect to city council could decide fate of Inner Harbor desalination project
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — The Inner Harbor desalination project is not on this year’s ballot, but Corpus Christi voters will still determine its fate through who they elect to City Council.
Source: Who Corpus Christi voters elect to city council could decide fate of Inner Harbor desalination project | KRIS TV
New Mexico challenges federal water-law waiver for border wall construction
EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — New Mexico officials accuse the Trump administration of overstepping its authority after the Department of Homeland Security issued a waiver seeking to bypass state water laws for border barrier construction.
Source: New Mexico challenges federal water-law waiver for border wall construction | KTSM 9
Securing Texas’ water future — from the ground up | EDF
Texas groundwater is increasingly strained by population growth, agriculture, energy development and climate change, threatening a critical water source for millions of residents.
Source: Securing Texas’ water future — from the ground up | EDF
Data centers in Texas and New Mexico may upend climate goals – The Texas Tribune
El Paso and New Mexico planned to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Neither plan considered how three new data centers could upend their climate goals.
Source: Data centers in Texas and New Mexico may upend climate goals | The Texas Tribune