Las Vegas New Mexico . . .

[CO. Hoosier]

Is about out of potable water, Why? The United States Forrest Servive started a controlled burn as part of forest management. The only problem is they started the burn in hot dry weather, it quickly raged out of control, and resulted in the largest wild fire in New Mexico history. It destroyed the watershed around Las Vegas. Now with late summer rains two of the three reservoirs providing water are useless and the third has less than a month’s supply.

Emergency filtration facilities will provide a temporary fix. The state stepped up with funding. But, where is the EPA? I thought clean water was part of its mission, especially here where the feds caused the water problem. Crickets. I’m old enough to remember when the democrats were going crazy over Flint Michigan‘s water issue. What’s the difference with Las Vegas? Well in Michigan, the democrats targeted a Republican Governor. Here, Democrats run the federal and state government so there is no narrative to push. Is that the difference? Nah.

New Mexico is a relatively poor state. The feds are sitting this one out— except for the meager watershed remediation the Forrest service provides.

Read about it here. FYI, we have eaten often at Charlie’s Bakery mentioned in the link. They serve the best green chili between Albuquerque and Denver.

NM city, victim of government burn, now faces water shortage

The city of Las Vegas, New Mexico, earlier this year already endured the devastation of the state's largest fire in recorded history, caused by federal officials carrying out what was supposed to be a prescribed burn to lessen the wildfire danger

abcnews.go.com

 

[twenty02]

I imagine this will be the first of many stories about water crises in the US SW over the next coming years. There are major concerns how long the water will last in the Rio Grande Valley this fall.... last I've seen they are praying for hurricanes.

 

[TomEric4756]

Heard this on the news yesterday. There’s lots of alkali in wood ashes. It’s not hard to believe the water not drinkable. Not a good story for aquifers in the region either.

 

[TomEric4756]

I imagine this will be the first of many stories about water crises in the US SW over the next coming years. There are major concerns how long the water will last in the Rio Grande Valley this fall.... last I've seen they are praying for hurricanes.

Yes, heard from some MX colleagues Friday that they get water turned on at their houses every third day south of the Rio Grande. Rio Grand Valley hurricanes are no picnic. The facility they work at got three feet of standing water on one such occasion.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

I imagine this will be the first of many stories about water crises in the US SW over the next coming years. There are major concerns how long the water will last in the Rio Grande Valley this fall.... last I've seen they are praying for hurricanes.

The Rio Grande watershed ended the season with snowpack below 20% of normal. The northern Colorado mountains were at or over 100%. The Colorado River watershed in the middle of the state was a little below normal. It was a weird snow year. OTOH, late spring and summer rains have been above normal.

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

I imagine this will be the first of many stories about water crises in the US SW over the next coming years. There are major concerns how long the water will last in the Rio Grande Valley this fall.... last I've seen they are praying for hurricanes.

Phoenix has had tons of rain this year.

 

[outside shooter]

A 20+ year drought and growing regional population have much higher impacts on water shortages than a controlled burn did.

 

[hoosboot]

A 20+ year drought and growing regional population have much higher impacts on water shortages than a controlled burn did.

I wonder why there's so much cheap land available in the desert?