Your Guide to A Sustainable Shared Water Future In New Mexico

Main Stream New Mexico connects water data, stories, and solutions to plan, conserve, and thrive together.

Main Stream is a campaign of the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission Water Planning Program. It is a resource for revitalized regional water planning under New Mexico’s Water Security Planning Act of 2023.

Rulemaking

Rulemaking to guide regional water planning across New Mexico is in process through the Water Security Planning Act. The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission concluded its three-day public hearing on the Water Security Planning Act proposed rule on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 with the commission now set to review testimony and public comments before deciding whether to adopt, amend, or reject the rule. To view the proposed rule and to access the docketed materials:
Rulemaking to guide regional water planning across New Mexico is in process through the Water Security Planning Act. The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission concluded its three-day public hearing on the Water Security Planning Act proposed rule on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 with the commission now set to review testimony and public comments before deciding whether to adopt, amend, or reject the rule. To view the proposed rule and to access the docketed materials:
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Once the rule is finalized, NMISC will begin convening regional water security planning councils across the state.
Once the rule is finalized, NMISC will begin convening regional water security planning councils across the state.

New Mexico’s Regional Water Planning Mapping Tool

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This tool provides an introduction to water data which incorporates various tried-and-true data sets.  It pairs population data from the Census with water data from the New Mexico Water Data Act, and overlays those with Water Use by Categories reports from both 2015 and 2020 (among other data sets).
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Water Facts for New Mexicans

Worried About Water in New Mexico?

Through floods and droughts, New Mexicans have always adapted. Now, as climate change reshapes our water future, it's time to act together. We are all connected by water, and small changes can secure our water future. So do your part. Only take what you need.
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What's The Link Between Snow and Our Rivers?

New Mexico rivers change a lot from season to season. Ever wonder why? Snowfall plays a big role. Each winter, snow creates frozen stores of water in the high mountains. This melts in the spring, feeding rivers and streams. But New Mexico winters are becoming dryer, warmer, and shorter, reducing the flow. So do your part. Only take what you need.
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Does A Hotter Climate Mean Less Water?

Our climate is heating up. As average annual temperatures rise — even by just one degree — more water evaporates from our landscapes, reservoirs, and rivers, leaving less to go around. So do your part. Only take what you need.
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How Does Groundwater Work?

In New Mexico, over 98% of public water systems rely on groundwater. As New Mexico gets warmer and our rivers and streams become increasingly stressed, more communities will turn to limited groundwater to meet demands. Do your part. Only take what you need.
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Worried About Water in New Mexico?Click to learn more
What's The Link Between Snow and Our Rivers?Click to learn more
Does A Hotter Climate Mean Less Water?Click to learn more
How Does Groundwater Work?Click to learn more

New Mexico Water Stories