Survey Report

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Executive Summary

Water scarcity is increasingly a defining challenge for agriculture in the Middle Rio Grande Basin (MRGB). Recurring droughts, declining surface water supplies, growing competition among agricultural, environmental, and urban water uses, and legal obligations related to interstate compact deliveries and endangered species management are placing unprecedented pressure on water management in the basin. To better understand how agricultural water users view these challenges and potential conservation responses, a survey of agricultural water users within the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) was conducted primarily between January and March 2026. The survey received 2,067 responses, representing a 43% response rate. The findings provide an important snapshot of agricultural water users’ experiences, concerns, and preferences as water managers and policymakers consider future water management strategies.

Key Findings

Agricultural water users remain strongly committed to irrigation and crop production despite growing water challenges. Surface water remains the dominant irrigation source, and more than half of respondents indicated that continuing to grow crops and irrigate their fields is extremely important to them. Although agriculture represents a relatively small share of the region’s total gross domestic product (GDP), survey responses highlight its continuing historical, cultural, and lifestyle importance.

Drought and reduced surface water availability are the most significant challenges facing agricultural water users. Respondents identified insufficient surface water, uncertainty about water-delivery timing, and difficulty maintaining desired operations as major disruptions. These results suggest that water scarcity in the MRGCD is not only a hydrologic problem, but also a management and coordination challenge involving infrastructure, delivery reliability, institutional responsiveness, and communication.

Local infrastructure investment is a clear priority. When asked how available investment dollars should be spent, respondents consistently ranked local water infrastructure improvements as their highest priority. Federal water infrastructure improvements and irrigation-efficiency programs were also highly ranked. This indicates strong support for investments that improve the reliability and effectiveness of existing water infrastructure and irrigation systems.

Participation in the Environmental Water Leasing Program (EWLP) was limited but has potential for growth. Only about 7% of respondents reported having previously participated in the program. Among these participants, the most commonly cited motivation was helping the MRGCD manage water demand during drought conditions, followed by receiving financial compensation and helping other farmers who need water. These findings suggest that participation decisions are largely influenced by both financial incentives and a willingness to support collective water management and the broader agricultural community.

Concerns about water rights are the largest barrier to participation in conservation programs. Among respondents who had not participated in the EWLP, concern about losing water rights was the most commonly cited reason for non-participation. Other barriers included unfamiliarity with the program, difficulty or cost of revitalizing fields after fallowing, insufficient compensation, and concerns about agricultural tax status. These responses point to the importance of aligning water conservation initiatives with existing legal, tax, and land use policies that affect agricultural water users.

Agricultural water users strongly prefer management approaches that keep water within agriculture and within the MRGCD. Support for temporary transfers was generally greater than support for permanent transfers. However, substantial opposition existed to transferring agricultural water rights out of the MRGCD, particularly to urban users. These findings suggest that agricultural water users are more likely to support management strategies that keep water tied to agriculture and maintain local control.

Trust varies substantially across information sources. Local water entities, such as the MRGCD, were the most trusted sources of information on water management. Friends and family were also viewed favorably. Local media and elected officials received the lowest trust ratings. These findings suggest that successful water management strategies will also depend on trusted local institutions and effective communication.

Many agricultural water users are interested in adaptation but face practical barriers. Respondents expressed interest in infrastructure improvements, more efficient irrigation technologies, groundwater wells, water storage, crop changes, and soil improvement practices. However, they also identified financial costs, technical requirements, limited information, administrative barriers, and legal concerns as obstacles to adopting these changes.

Implications for Policy and Water Management

The survey results suggest that agricultural water users recognize the need to adapt to increasing water scarcity, but their support for conservation depends heavily on program design and implementation. Respondents’ concerns point to the need for conservation programs that protect agricultural water rights, maintain agricultural viability, and provide clear assurances about participation risks. Conservation initiatives that appear misaligned with water rights rules, agricultural tax policies, or long-term land productivity may face significant barriers to participation.

The findings also indicate that water management strategies should aim to address both physical water shortages and institutional coordination challenges. Improving infrastructure, delivery reliability, effective communication, and institutional responsiveness may be as important as creating new conservation incentives. Conservation strategies that combine financial incentives with trusted information, technical support, and clear legal protections are likely to be more successful and receive broader support among agricultural water users in the MRGB.