NM drought sinks level of Elephant Butte's Lake
Posted at: 11/26/2012 12:07 PM
By: The Associated Press
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - The bathtub-like rings around Elephant Butte Lake's water level state the obvious: the lake near Truth or Consequences is low because of the drought that has diminished snowpack runoff flowing down the Rio Grande.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that downstream results for the lake that parallels Interstate 25 include higher irrigation pumping costs for farmers and loss of favorite fishing spots for recreational users.
The lake hit an 8-year low on Sept. 4 when it was 5 percent full. The last time the lake was that low was in 2004 during another period of drought when the elevation was three feet lower.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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