The Truth About Water Availability in the Sandia Basin: The Story Behind the Headlines
Setting the Record Straight
Media coverage of water availability in the Sandia Basin has painted a concerning picture, but a deeper examination of court documents and scientific evidence tells a markedly different story. The facts, when carefully reviewed, reveal important truths that have often been overlooked in public discourse.
While headlines have suggested the Office of the State Engineer (OSE) opposed water availability for the Campbell Ranch Master Plan, court records show a dramatically different reality. As documented in the court proceedings, "In a complete reversal of its position in the hearing below, OSE now takes the position that there is water available for the Application, that there is no impairment to existing water rights and that the Application is not contrary to conservation or detrimental to the public welfare." [Finding of Fact 221]
This crucial fact has been largely absent from media coverage, yet it represents the considered opinion of New Mexico's primary water authority after thorough scientific review. The OSE's expert hydrologist not only reviewed the extensive groundwater modeling but concluded it was "satisfied with the calibration of the model" [Finding of Fact 163] and found it to be "a reliable tool for predicting the future effects" [Finding of Fact 164].
The Science Behind the Headlines
Despite public perception, scientific evidence demonstrates the Sandia Basin's substantial water resources. The basin receives approximately three times the precipitation of the Albuquerque Basin, a fact often omitted from public discussion. Well testing revealed remarkable water availability - one test well (ASE-2) demonstrated capability to pump at 1,600 gallons per minute, equivalent to 2,500 acre-feet per year [Finding of Fact 112], far exceeding the modest 350 acre-feet per year requested in the application.
Understanding the Full Picture
Reports of declining well levels have contributed to public concern, but these reports often fail to account for normal seasonal variations and well construction factors. The court record reveals that many domestic wells in the area were constructed at relatively shallow depths. More importantly, scientific data shows that "water levels in the San Andres-Glorieta aquifer within the San Pedro Synclinorium have remained unchanged through time despite the fact that groundwater pumping adjacent to Campbell Ranch has increased through time to the current amount of nearly 500 af/y" [Finding of Fact 111].
Expert Validation
The project's water availability underwent rigorous scientific scrutiny. The groundwater modeling was so comprehensive that OSE's hydrologist Mr. Keyes "reviewed the DBSA groundwater model in detail and conducted an independent evaluation of the model boundaries, aquifer properties, geology, fault zones, stresses (groundwater pumping and recharge) and calibration to the observed data." [Finding of Fact 170]
Moving Forward with Facts
While media narratives have often focused on water scarcity, the scientific evidence consistently supports water availability in the Sandia Basin. The OSE's final position, supported by extensive technical analysis, confirms that sustainable water resources exist to support responsible development in the region.
It's essential that future discussions about water availability in the Sandia Basin move beyond headlines and focus on the documented scientific evidence. The comprehensive studies and expert analysis conducted for the Campbell Ranch Master Plan provide valuable data that should inform these important conversations about our region's future.
