ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Rio Grande has run dry once again in Albuquerque, with stretches near Tingley Beach and Central Avenue showing no visible water flow. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the river at just over one foot deep on Friday, with flows down to 240 cubic feet per second—less than a third of what’s typically needed for irrigation.
It’s the third time in four years the river has dried up, and this year’s event is arriving earlier than usual. Farmers across the region are preparing for reduced water availability during a critical part of the growing season.
Residents say the dry riverbed is a stark contrast to the Rio Grande’s once-reliable flow, raising concerns about long-term water management and climate impacts in the region.
