Compacts are formal agreement between states concerning the use of water in rivers or streams, which flow across state boundaries. The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission’s authority under state law includes negotiating compact issues with other states.
The State of New Mexico is a party to eight interstate stream compacts concerning the Colorado River, Upper Colorado River Basin, La Plata River, Animas-La Plata Project, Rio Grande, Costilla Creek, Pecos River, and Canadian River.
Commission staff is also responsible for compliance with provisions of the U.S. Supreme Court decisions governing water allocations on the Pecos, Canadian, and Gila Rivers. To assure compact compliance, staff analyze, review, and implement projects in New Mexico and in other states and analyze streamflow, reservoir, and other data on the stream systems.
The State of New Mexico is a party to the following compacts: