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A warmer climate could impact nearly every aspect of New Mexico’s water and land.
Dunbar listed likely impacts, including:
• Decreased aquifer recharge, more common and hotter drought periods, earlier winter runoff, greater groundwater demands and stress on plant life.
• Dry vegetation and catastrophic wildfires that could affect runoff and floodplain ecosystems.
• Warmer streams and rivers that could mean changing oxygen levels, which can disturb fish habitat.
“Likely the dominant impact on water quality going forward is going to be related to temperature increase,” Dunbar said.
State law requires that the Office of the State Engineer update a water plan every five years.