Several significant storm events have occurred in September 2026. Heavy rainfall in the Rincon and Mesilla Valley resulted in arroyo inflow into the Rio Grande river channel. EBID water monitoring alarmed personnel of potential stormwater capture. Over the last several days, EBID diverted significant stormwater into EBID's central and south diversion areas.

The captured stormwater was primarily used to irrigate farm fields, offsetting the need for groundwater pumping. Any remaining captured stormwater is diverted into our drain systems for the purpose of aquifer replenishment. Below is the calculated capture data through September 27th. EBID will be updating this page as new stormwater is diverted. Irrigated acres will be updated as that data is available.

2026 Stormwater Capture Data

Stormwater Capture Program Overview

Persistent drought conditions in the Mesilla and Rincon Valleys of southern New Mexico have led to significantly decreased surface water allotment to farms.  To offset these shortages, farm irrigation groundwater well pumping has been prevalent in the region, resulting in declining groundwater aquifer levels.  A critical need to examine and implement alternative water sources to supplement farm irrigation has developed due to these conditions.

Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) began to explore stormwater run-off during monsoon season and extended storm events as a viable source of supplemental water for irrigation purposes.  Additionally, captured stormwater run-off diverted into the canal delivery system offers the potential to reduce the overall effect of groundwater pumping on declining aquifer levels.  

Over the past several years, EBID has implemented a comprehensive stormwater management system aimed at tracking storm activity, monitoring stormwater inflow to the Rio Grande River channel, and capturing stormwater in areas where groundwater aquifer levels have been most affected. The system is comprised of Remote Telemetry Units (RTU) installed on watershed weather stations, watershed rain gauges, flood arroyo channels, river gaging stations, canal diversions, and stormwater capture sites that measure diverted stormwater and monitor the effects on aquifer levels at nearby groundwater monitoring sites.

To assist management and field personnel, EBID has also implemented OneRain Contrail, a comprehensive water management software package created specifically for rainfall monitoring.  Development of this monitoring system has been aimed at potential flood warning alerts, flood control dam safety, as well as the ability for EBID to capture and divert storm water run-off for the purpose of farm irrigation and potential aquifer replenishment.