The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute

The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico at New Mexico State University. The NM WRRI was established in 1963 by the New Mexico legislature and approved under the 1964 federal Water Resources Research Act. The institute funds research conducted by faculty and students from universities across the state to address water problems critical to New Mexico and the Southwest. The institute also participates in joint efforts to solve water-related problems along the U.S./Mexico border.

Our mission is to develop and disseminate knowledge that will assist the state and nation in solving water problems. Through the funding of research and demonstration projects, the institute utilizes knowledge and experience of researchers throughout the state to solve New Mexico’s pressing water problems. Research is conducted by faculty and students within the departmental structure of each New Mexico university campus. In-house staff administers the institute’s programs, conducts special research projects, and produces a variety of issue reports. Original WRRI Objectives, Scope, and Organization (August 20, 1964).

If you plan to visit us, you can obtain a temporary parking permit online from the NMSU parking department.

Our mission

At the federal level the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (PDF), as amended, authorizes a water resources research institute in each state and territory to:

(1) Provide research and training in water conservation, planning and management; atmospheric-surface-ground water relations; and water quality;

(2) Transfer water information through the use of technical and miscellaneous publications, newsletters, conferences and presentations;

(3) Provide expertise, specialized assistance and information to address water problems; and

(4) Cooperate with local, state and federal water agencies. Participating institutions associated with the water resources research institute shall be New Mexico State University, the University of New Mexico, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, New Mexico Highlands University, Eastern New Mexico University and Western New Mexico University.

Source: 2009 New Mexico Statutes Chapter 21 – State and Private Education Institutions. Article 8 – New Mexico State University Section 21-8-40 – Water resources Research Institute created; purpose.

National Institutes for Water Research

The State Water Resources Research Act Program, authorized by section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984, is a Federal-State partnership. The state water resources research institutes (WRRI) authorized by the Act are organized as the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR). NIWR cooperates with the USGS to support, coordinate and facilitate research through the Annual Base Grants, National Competitive Grants, Coordination Grants, and in operating the NIWR-USGS Student Internship Program.

Information Transfer

The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute’s (NM WRRI) Information Transfer Program is designed to bring the results of its research projects to the public, and to educate New Mexicans on the critical water issues of the state, region, and nation. Different sectors of the public are targeted for each of its activities.

Water Initiatives

The NMSU Water Initiative is a project to enhance NMSU’s efforts concerning water. The goal is to better position NMSU’s resources in order to build alliances with the community, communicate with stakeholders more effectively, and keep agriculture and industry successful in New Mexico. The NMSU Water Initiative provides connections to resources for enhancing research applications, hosts networking events that foster collaboration, and hosts forums that help define the research needs of the local community.