Feds say cuts in Chama water likely for users

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Credit Laura Paskus

Elephant Butte Resevoir.

Water allotments for Rio Grande water users may be cut next year. 

The Albuquerque Journal reports users are being notified by the Bureau of Reclamation that allotments from the San Juan-Chama diversion project may be 20 percent less than this year due to drought.

Albuquerque's water supply will likely be ok, as the city's water authority has been stockpiling water, but communities between Cochiti and Elephant Butte may be affected if the winter season doesn't bring enough snow.

According to the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, a 20 percent cut could mean shortening the growing season by at least a week.