Federal water managers think they have a plan to keep the Rio Grande flowing this summer, but they conceded Thursday it all depends on the weatherALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Tumbleweeds drift along the Rio Grande as sand bars within its banks widen. One of North America’s longest rivers, the Rio Grande is another example of a waterway in the western U.S. that’s tapped out. On Thursday, federal water managers shared their annual operating plan for the Rio Grande, a major water source for millions of people and thousands of square miles of farmland in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. Officials said it's possible the Rio Grande, as it passes through the heart of Albuquerque, could start drying in late August or early September. Water managers in New Mexico immediately saw the gauges drop, meaning less water ultimately will make its way to central New Mexico.

Source: ABC News April 14, 2022 16:35 UTC