Water runs through everything, and right now, water is one of the biggest challenges we face in New Mexico. It is our time to find solutions together.

Your trusted New Mexico water resource

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

Share Your Voice Now

The Discussion Draft of the Rule and Guidelines proposes the framework for regional water planning, including governance structures, public welfare considerations, and new regional water planning boundaries.

Discussion Draft Rule

Discussion Draft Guidelines

Discussion Draft Hydro-Administrative Boundaries

Discussion Draft Boundary StoryMap

NMISC has reopened our discussion draft until April 30, 2025 to continue to gather public input prior to initiating formal rule promulgation. You can submit new or additional comments on the Discussion Draft Rule via online survey anytime before the April 30th deadline.

Discussion Draft Survey

Understanding Water Regions

As part of the Water Security Planning Act, New Mexico is evaluating the boundaries and number of water planning regions.

Explore the considerations:

Water (Hydrology)

Cultural & Social

Governance

Illustration of the water cycle showing precipitation, watersheds, rivers and groundwater.

This would reflect the physical characteristics of our landscapes, including watersheds and groundwater basins.

Potential benefits:

such regions may be able to plan more suitably to the characteristics of a shared water supply.

Illustration of people and the words: culture, values, norms, and traditions.

This would organize regions around communities with similar values, norms, cultural practices and water traditions.

Potential benefits:

such regions may plan more suitably to the shared values and norms of their communities.

Watercolor background with the words: tribal lands, cities, counties, conservation and irrigation districts, and political districts.

This would base regions on governance (organized by city, county, tribal government, irrigation district, etc).

Potential benefits:

such regions have existing administrative capacities to develop, fund, and implement plans and projects.

Seems complicated?

It is, and that's why we have engaged all of New Mexico.

You can now read the latest reports covering our 2024 Open Houses on the Data & Reports page. Sign up for our newsletter to get notified on New Mexico's latest water news.