About the Middle Rio Grande Regional Water Plan
The Middle Rio Grande Region (Region 12) is one of 16 water regions in the state. The region encompasses Valencia County, Bernalillo County, and most of Sandoval County. The principal river basin is the Rio Grande. The principal aquifers are the Albuquerque Basin-Rio Grande and the Santa Fe Group. The region is bounded on the north by Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties, on the west by McKinley and Cibola counties, on the south by Socorro County, and on the east by Torrance and Santa Fe counties.
What does regional water planning involve? In its plan, each region must identify its water supply, project the demand for water, and develop strategic alternatives to meet its water shortage challenges. Water plans must include recommended alternatives for regional water resources management, water conservation, protection of the regional public welfare, and timelines for implementing the water plan. Regions are also asked to identify unappropriated groundwater resources that may be appropriated and reserved on behalf of the region by the Interstate Stream Commission (ISC).
