New Mexico Drought Status

Short-term drought conditions improved slightly across parts of New Mexico during the past 30 days in response to decent monsoon thunderstorm activity. All of New Mexico continues to experience some level of drought, although conditions are improving in western parts of the state, according to the September 18 update of the U.S. Drought Monitor (Figures 5a–b). The rest of the state continues to observe severe to extreme drought conditions. A small area of exceptional drought, the highest level, has crept into Curry and Roosevelt counties. Overall, recent precipitation has caused the areas with at least severe drought to fall from 85 percent in mid-August to about 62 percent in mid-September.

The ongoing drought has hurt tourism in southern New Mexico in recent months (KFOX14, Sept. 3). Recreational visits to the Elephant Butte Reservoir were down this past Labor Day weekend due to low water levels in the reservoir. The reservoir is at only at about 5 percent of capacity, dampening the draw for camping and watersports at the recreation area.