A History of New Mexico State University’s Well Development and Ground Water Use

During the past one hundred years New Mexico State University (NMSU) students, faculty and staff, have used water for domestic, educational and research needs. The Experiment Station, an integral part of NMSU, has also required water to fulfill its responsibilities to the people of New Mexico. Because of the uncertain flow of the Rio Grande, and the continual growth of NMSU, the river was never able to meet these educational and research needs. In order to meet these needs in a desert climate, numerous wells were drilled. The drilling of these wells is a vital part of the university’s history. Without access to under ground water there would be no New Mexico State University as it is known today, a 14,000 student educational institution combining agriculture, engineering, and the humanities.

This study looked at how the university used its water resources, both ground and surface water during the last one hundred years. Emphasis was placed upon the development of wells for domestic, irrigation and economic purposes. The study was confined to NMSU’s main campus, as well as other university properties located in the Mesilla Valley, but not a part of the main campus.