Report 99-2 from the Technical Division, Hydrology Bureau, New Mexico Office of the State Engineer specifically studied projected water flows in Curry and Roosevelt Counties of New Mexico under CURRENT WITHDRAWAL RATES as of March 1999. This was before many of the current dairies were drawing water from the Ogallala. The conclusions are truly frightening; these are direct quotes from the State Engineer's report:

"Actually, concentrated pumping in Curry and Roosevelt Counties in New Mexico as well as Bailey County in Texas will de-water large portions of the most productive areas of the basin as early as the year 2010."

"Parts of the basin where the remaining 1990 saturated thickness is less than 50 feet will not sustain continued pumping beyond the year 2000 or 2010."

[CCCW COMMENT: Look at the Map at Left: Most of Curry and Roosevelt Counties are in the yellow areas, or areas of saturated thickness of 0 to 50 feet. Many areas of Curry and Roosevelt Counties are in dotted black areas, or areas that are already dewatered].

"Thus, with the current remaining saturated thickness of less than 100 feet in most areas, the Ogallala Formation will not sustain the current production rates to the year 2040. De-watered areas will increase to cover large portions of Curry and Roosevelt Counties in New Mexico and most of Bailey and Parmer Counties in Texas."

"HOWEVER, it should be mentioned that these projections are based on the estimated withdrawal rates for current conditions. In New Mexico, these rates are approximately 79% of the permitted water rights in the basin."

Copyright 2002-2006 Concerned Citizens for Clean Water, 7025 Sparrow Point, Fort Worth, Texas 76133. Phone: (817)346-7122. Email: citizens@saveourwatersupply.org.