Elephant Butte Reservoir in New Mexico reached a mere 1.4% capacity in July.

Years of extreme drought and early snowmelt have drained the reservoir to critical levels, exposing long-submerged debris and highlighting the strain on Rio Grande water supplies crucial for farms in both New Mexico and Texas.

The crops failed immediately. Farmers are now facing severe water shortages that threaten their livelihoods.

This dramatic drop signals a long-term vulnerability to drought and could lead to further ecological degradation of the region's vital water resources.

What is the long-term climate outlook for this region?

The region faces an increasingly arid future with more frequent and severe droughts. This will likely exacerbate water scarcity issues, impacting agriculture and urban water supplies. Immediate action on water conservation and infrastructure improvements is critical to mitigate these risks.

Immediate action is needed to address looming water shortages.