Peggy Johnson presenting at the New Mexico Water Dialogue's 21st Annual Conference
January 12, 2015
On January 8, 2015, Peggy Johnson, principal hydrogeologist for the Bureau of Geology, participated in a presentation by the NM Universities Working Group on Drought at the New Mexico Water Dialogue's 21st annual conference. In addition to Peggy, the group includes Janie Chermak (UNM), David Gutzler (UNM), J. Phillip King (NMSU) and Lee Reynis (UNM). This Working Group was funded by the 2014 State Legislature to: (1) assess the current status of water supply and demand after years of severe drought in New Mexico; (2) put the current drought into long-term context with reduced surface water, groundwater depletions and economic activity; and (3) develop a list of hydrologic and economic vulnerabilities and promote policy strategies to mitigate them. The group’s initial focus is on the Lower Rio Grande, but with future funding they will cover other regions of New Mexico.