Farmers resume "water bank" use

Farmers using the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District’s “water bank” had their irrigation supplies turned back on Monday, but the district’s water manager said it is not clear how long they’ll be able to water. 

Water bank farmers are the lowest priority water users on the farm water system. Two weeks ago, with Rio Grande levels falling because of the drought, the district cut off water bank users, the first time that had happened in the history of the district. With warmer weather, snow melt has increased flows in the river enough to supply the low-priority water bank customers for now. 

But they could be cut off again any time over the next two months, said conservancy district water manager David Gensler.

Farmers resume "water bank" use

Orangutan born at ABQ zoo

Officials at the Albuquerque BioPark say a baby orangutan that was born at the zoo this week is alert, has been nursing and has a strong grip.

 The zoo says Sarah the Sumatran orangutan gave birth to the healthy baby sometime late Thursday or early Friday. Zookeepers have yet to determine the baby's gender. They say Sarah and her baby are behind the scenes but will soon rejoin the rest of the orangutans. 

The zoo's primate supervisor, Debbie Wiese, says the first few days after birth are the most critical and the mother and baby will be closely monitored to make sure development progresses normally. Sarah's pregnancy surprised zookeepers last November, making it difficult to determine a due date. 

This is the first orangutan birth at the zoo since 2008.

Orangutan born at ABQ zoo

Carlsbad Caverns pipeline needs repairs

Park officials say a pipeline that stretches more than a mile to provide Carlsbad Caverns National Park with drinking water needs to be replaced. 

Officials say some sections of the pipeline were damaged by freezing temperatures. A wildfire also destroyed much of the line's insulation along with many of the wooden blocks used to support it. 

The pipeline provides water to the visitor center, employee housing and park offices. Officials say repairing or replacing the line is necessary to ensure a permanent, reliable source of water. 

The park will consider a range of alternatives to accomplish the work as part of an environmental assessment. It will also evaluate potential issues and effects on park resources as part of the process.

Carlsbad Caverns pipeline needs repairs

NM Supreme Court allows water manager to decide rights

New Mexico's highest court is allowing the state's top water manager to decide proposed water rights transfers to increase flows in the drought-stricken Pecos River. 

The state Supreme Court ruled Monday the state engineer's office can move ahead with an administrative hearing on a proposal to transfer water rights to allow more pumping of groundwater near Carlsbad in southeastern New Mexico. The water will go by pipeline into a reservoir to boost river flows.

The justices rejected arguments by a ranching family that State Engineer Scott Verhines has a conflict of interest in deciding the water proposal by the Interstate Stream Commission. 

The Supreme Court tossed out an Eddy County district court judge ruling that stopped the state engineer from holding a hearing, which now will start in June.

NM Supreme Court allows water manager to decide rights