prairie chickens in field
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
Drought
Water Quality
Assets
Agriculture and Food Supply
Aquatic and Marine Resources
Multiple or All Assets
People
Water Infrastructure – General
Sources

Follow the link below to read the full case study from the FWS Conservation and Adaptation Resources Toolbox (CART) case study library:

Conserving Groundwater in the Ogallala Aquifer with Water Rights Lease Agreements

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

US Fish & 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

Get Started
Understand Exposure
Assess Vulnerability & Risk
Investigate Options
Prioritize & Plan
Take Action
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Image Credit

Dr. Charles Dixon/Cannon Air Force Base