Case Study

Conserving Groundwater in the Ogallala Aquifer with Water Rights Lease Agreements

Clovis, New Mexico is entirely dependent on the Ogallala Aquifer to meet the water demand for municipal use and irrigation farming. In response, the Ogallala Land & Water Conservancy (OLWC) and Cannon Air Force Base (CAFB) are entering three-year water rights lease agreements with landowners to conserve the aquifer’s remaining groundwater for critical municipal and CAFB use.

Location Clovis, New Mexico

Year

2024

Details

Hazards

Assets

Agriculture and Food Supply

Aquatic and Marine Resources

Multiple or All Assets

Water Infrastructure – General

Sources

USFWS—U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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Funding & Building Capacity

This project was funded by the Department of Defense REPI Program and the State of New Mexico, Office of the State Engineer, CSFRF Grant.

Organizations

USFWS—U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Relevant Options

Work with the water utility to keep and update data on source-specific water supplies. Establish and implement sector-appropriate outreach mechanisms when water levels get low. Consider agricultural needs when updating current water management infrastructure to maintain high-quality agricultural water supply at a reasonable cost Promote and support sustainable practices in all areas of the food system. The food economy is an integral contributor to the overall economic vitality of the City.

Steps to Resilience

Understand Exposure

Assess Vulnerability & Risk

Investigate Options

Prioritize & Plan

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