WRAP Division Director, Richard P. Rose, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE
Water is New Mexico's most precious resource, especially during times of drought. Under New Mexico water law, all ground and surface waters belong to the public and are subject to appropriation under the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation, a constitutional provision that says earlier appropriations have priority over later appropriations.
The Water Resources Allocation Program (WRAP) with the Office of the State Engineer is responsible for processing water rights applications, conducting the scientific research for making those water rights decisions, maintaining water rights records, and enforcing any conditions or restrictions on water use. Water masters in the program measure stream flow, allocate the water within a stream system based on state water law, and regulate and control diversions. Staff also inventory water resources, monitor water use, and cooperate with the U.S. Geologic Survey in monitoring groundwater levels throughout the state. Additional duties are licensing all well drillers, maintaining and updating the rules and regulations of the State Engineer, inspecting non-federal dams, evaluating subdivision water-supply plans submitted by counties, and promoting water conservation.
The WRAP Program includes the Water Rights Division, the Dam Safety Bureau, the Hydrology Bureau, the Water Use and Conservation/Subdivision Review Bureau, and the Water Rights Abstract Bureau.
For more information on water resources allocation in New Mexico, contact each district office at:
| Water Rights District I – Albuquerque: 5550 San Antonio Dr NE Albuquerque, NM 87109-4127 Location |
Phone: Fax: |
(505) 383-4000 (505) 383-4030 |
| Water Rights District II – Roswell: 1900 West Second St. Roswell, NM 88201 Location |
Phone: Fax: |
(575) 622-6521 (575) 623-8559 |
| Water Rights District III – Deming: 301 South Tin PO Box 844 Deming, NM 88031 Location |
Phone: Fax: |
(575) 546-2851 (575) 546-2290 |
| Water Rights District IV – Las Cruces: 1680 Hickory Loop, Suite J Las Cruces, NM 88005-6598 Location |
Phone: Fax: |
(575) 524-6161 (575) 524-6160 |
| Water Rights District V – Aztec: 100 Gossett Drive, Suite A Aztec, NM 87410 Location |
Phone: Fax: |
(505) 334-4571 (505) 334-4575 |
| Water Rights District VI-Santa Fe: 407 Galisteo St. Bataan Memorial Bldg. PO Box 25102 Santa Fe, NM 87504-5102 Location |
Phone: Fax: |
(505) 827-6120 (505) 827-6682 |
| Water Rights District VII-Cimarron: PO Box 481 301 East 9th Street Cimarron, NM 87714 Location |
Phone: Fax: |
(575) 376-2918 (575) 376-2410 (575) 376-4565 |