The future of water in a desert river basin facing climate change and competing demands: A holistic approach to water sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2023.101336
• Publication Date: 2023-02-09T17:29:47Z
• Authors: W.L. Hargrove; J.M. Heyman; A. Mayer; A. Mirchi; A. Granados-Olivas; G. Ganjegunte; D. Gutzler; D.D. Pennington; F.A. Ward; L. Garnica Chavira; Z. Sheng; S. Kumar; N. Villanueva-Ros...; W.S. Walker
• Keywords: Rainwater Harvesting

The Middle Rio Grande (MRG), defined by the portion of basin from Elephant Butte Reservoir in New Mexico to confluence with Conchos Far West Texas, U.S.A. and Northern Chihuahua, Mexico. future water for MRG many other arid semi-arid regions world is challenged a changing climate, agricultural intensification, growing urban populations, segmented governance system transboundary setting. core question such settings is: how can be managed so that competing agricultural, urban, environmental sectors realize sustainable future? We synthesize results interdisciplinary research aimed at "water futures", considering possible, probable, preferable outcomes known drivers change stakeholder participatory mode. accomplished this developing evaluating scenarios using suite scientifically rigorous computer models, melded input diverse stakeholders. Under likely without significant interventions, relatively cheap easy access will depleted about 40 years. Interventions mitigate outcome very costly. A new approach called based on "adaptive cooperation" among across jurisdictions along four important themes: information sharing, conservation, greater development use alternative sources, limits allocation/withdrawals coupled more flexibility uses.