Protecting Temporary Waterways of the United States

News

Posted: Sep 04, 2018 - 12:00am

The waterways of New Mexico are dominated by intermittent streams and rivers. Estimates are that almost 90 percent of the stream and river miles in New Mexico cease to flow at sometime during the year. Examples of intermittent rivers in central New Mexico that are tributaries of the Rio Grande include the Santa Fe River, the Rio Galisteo, the Rio Puerco, and the Rio Salado.

These temporary waterways are in danger of losing legal protection as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to rescind legal protection for temporary waterways throughout the US. New Mexico and other states in more arid regions of the country will see most streams and rivers lose legal protection if this proposal is adopted.

Read the full story at the UNM Newsroom.