Abstract

GIS and Water Resources Administration in the Middle Rio Grande
Track: Water Resources
Author(s): Jalayne Spivey, Elizabeth Cervantes

The Middle Rio Grande is a 180-mile reach that supports the greater part of New Mexico's population, its agricultural base, seven Indian pueblos, and endangered species. The Middle Rio Grande is a fully appropriated, hydrologically connected system. Since 1907, the State Engineer has had statutory authority to administer water rights. Today, the OSE Water Rights Division has transitioned from manual cartographic methods to electronic methods of evaluation of water rights by utilizing GIS. The success of this practice has created the "MRG Project", its goal being spatial and temporal access to land and water use since 1907. This tool allows dynamic administration of water rights while tracking changes through time--critical in the absence of adjudication while at the same time laying the groundwork for eventual adjudication. This presentation will illustrate how GIS has become an indispensable tool in improving, organizing, and directing administration of the state's water resource.

Jalayne Spivey
NM Office of the State Engineer
121 Tijeras Ave NE Suite 2000
Albuquerque , New Mexico 87102
United States
Phone: 505-764-3888
Fax: 505-764-3892
E-mail: jalayne.spivey@state.nm.us

Elizabeth Cervantes
NM Office of the State Engineer
121 Tijeras Ave NE Suite 2000
Albuquerque , New Mexico 87102
United States
Phone: 505-764-3888
Fax: 505-764-3892
E-mail: elizabeth.cervantes@state.nm.us