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

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

  1. 3. Provide expertise, specialized assistance and information to address water problems; and

  1. 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.

NM WRRI STAFF

SAM FERNALD
Director

575-646-4337

CAROLINA MIJARES
Senior Program Manager

575-646-7991

HAMID BALALI
Postdoctoral Researcher

575-646-2514

GHOLAMREZA ESLAMIFAR
Postdoctoral Researcher

575-646-4337

AHMED MASHALY
Postdoctoral Researcher

575-646-5026

CONNIE MAXWELL
Research Scientist, Assc

575-740-1099

BOB SABIE
Research Scientist, Assc

575-646-1673

CHRISTINE TANG
Research Scientist, Assc

575-646-4337

RYAN BURNS
GIS Analyst

575-646-5026

FERNANDO HERRERA
Systems Analyst, Sr

575-646-1835

ANIK ALVI
Software Developer, Assc

575-646-1835

MINHAJUDDIN AHMED
Web Developer, Inter

575-646-1835

KAYLA BROWN
Program Specialist

575-646-1194

MARK SHEELY
Program Specialist

575-646-1195

JEANETTE TORRES
Program Specialist

575-646-1813

JIMMY BATCHLER
Student Program Coordinator

575-646-4198

ISAAC GARZA
Research Assistant, Inter.

575-646-4337

KURT LYELL
Lab Assistant

575-646-4337

KYLIE ARRIETA
Assistant Writer

575-646-4337

MARYBETH EWING
Admin Asst, Inter

575-646-4337

NM WRRI STUDENTS

MANISH ACHARYA
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-1830

AMOD ADEMOYE
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-1830

EMAZ ARSHAD
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-2514

PABLO DOMINGUEZ
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-1830

SHAREEN FARHA
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-4337

CALEB FYOCK
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-4337

SABRINA GONZALEZ
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-1194

RAFIQUL ISLAM
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-1830

SAUGAT KARKI
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-1830

SANDESH KARKI
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-4337

NAGEENA MAKHDOOM
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-5026

AUTUMN MCALLISTER
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-4337

KAUSTUV NEUPANE
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-4337

JORGE PRECIADO
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-4337

TASNIM KAMAL SHAMMA
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-4337

LALMANI WAGLE
Graduate Research Assistant

575-646-1830

ANGELINA CHACON
Student Assistant

575-646-4337

JULIANNA HERNANDEZ
Student Assistant

575-646-4337

ERNESTO PRIETO
Student Assistant

575-646-4337

MARISSA PRIETO
Student Assistant

575-646-4337

GRACE STOLP
Student Assistant

575-646-4337

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW BOARD

  • Daniel Cadol, New Mexico Tech
  • Davena Crosley, New Mexico Environment Department
  • John Fleck, The University of New Mexico
  • Kerry Howe, The University of New Mexico
  • Mike Johnson, U.S. Geological Survey
  • Alex Rinehart, New Mexico Tech
  • John T. Romero, New Mexico Office of the State Engineer
  • Kenneth C. Carroll, New Mexico State University
  • Pei Xu, New Mexico State University

WATER CONFERENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

  • Myron Armijo, New Mexico Office of the State Engineer / ISC
  • Alexander "Sam" Fernald, New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute
  • Carolina Mijares, New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute
  • Aron Balok, Pecos Valley Artesian Conservancy District
  • Daniel Cadol, New Mexico Tech
  • Chris Canavan, New Mexico Environment Department
  • Gary L. Esslinger, Elephant Butte Irrigation District
  • Amy Ewing, Daniel B. Stephens and Associates
  • Paula Garcia, New Mexico Acequia Association
  • Ryan Gronewold, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • Mike Hamman, New Mexico Office of the State Engineer / ISC
  • Austin Hanson, INTERA Inc.
  • Steve Harris, Rio Grande Restoration
  • John Hawley, Emeritus Senior Environmental Geologist, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources
  • Mike Johnson, U.S. Geological Survey
  • Dagmar Llewellyn, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
  • Julie Maitland, New Mexico Department of Agriculture
  • Howard Passell, Sandia National Laboratories
  • John T. Romero, New Mexico Office of the State Engineer
  • Beth Salvas, Daniel B. Stephens & Associates
  • Blane Sanchez, Isleta Pueblo
  • Nabil Shafike, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • John Shomaker, Shomaker and Associates, Inc.
  • Jeri Sullivan Graham, The University of New Mexico
  • Bruce Thomson, The University of New Mexico
  • Stacy Timmons, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources
  • Lani Tsinnajinnie, The University of New Mexico
  • John C. Tysseling, Energy, Economic & Environmental Consultants
  • Avery Young, New Mexico Environment Department
  • Jeannie Barlow, U.S. Geological Survey