USERS OF THE MID-RIO GRANDE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT WATER BANK SYSTEM ARE BEING TOLD TO IMMEDIATELY STOP ACCESSING WATER. CONSERVANCY SPOKESMAN TOM THORPE SAYS IT'S DUE TO LOW LEVELS AT EL VADO RESERVOIR AND A DROP IN THE RIVER FLOW BELOW 780 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND.
HE TELLS 770 KKOB THIS IS LIKELY A TEMPORARY SITUATION. HE SAYS THE WATER LEVELS ARE EXPECTED TO RISE AS THE WEATHER WARMS UP AND THE RUNOFF INCREASES. HE SAYS WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THERE SHOULD BE MORE WATER IN THE RIVER. WATER BANK USERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO IRRIGATE AGAIN WHEN IT'S ABOVE 780 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND.
RIGHT NOW THE RIO GRANDE IS FLOWING AT 650 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND. WATER BANK USERS ARE THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE WATER RIGHTS BUT CAN LEASE WATER FROM THE DISTRICT. IT AFFECTS AROUND 250 IRRIGATORS.
