Rio Grande-Santa Fe
Watershed Hydrology
The Rio Grande Santa Fe Watershed (HUC 13020201) covers an area of approximately 2,390 square miles in New Mexico, USA. The headwaters of the watershed are located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and the Rio Grande River runs through the center of the watershed. The hydrology of the watershed is largely influenced by snowmelt, with a specific snowpack that accumulates between December and April each year. The surface water in the watershed is used for agricultural, municipal, and industrial purposes, and the Rio Grande Reservoir is an important source of water for the region. Interesting climatic facts include the high occurrence of flash floods during the summer monsoon season and the growing concern of drought conditions due to declining snowpack levels and increasing temperatures. Trends indicate a shift towards more frequent and prolonged droughts in the region.