Welcome to the website for Lower Rio Grande (LRG) Water Rights Adjudication

Lower Rio Grande Adjudication

State of New Mexico ex rel, Office of the State Engineer
v.
Elephant Butte Irrigation District, et al.,

D-307-CV-96-888  (aka D-307-CV-888)
Honorable James J. Wechsler, Judge Pro Tempore

Third Judicial District Court

This water rights adjudication is a legal proceeding to determine the priority, amount of water and other elements of each water right in the Lower Rio Grande River Basin.

Persons in the LRG Basin currently shown to own a water right or rights are referred to as “Claimants.”

If you claim a water right:

You are considered a Claimant and have the right to participate in court proceedings regarding:

• Your water rights
• Other water rights
• Matters affecting more than one water right.

If you fail to respond in writing to certain court documents or fail to attend mandatory court hearings, you may forfeit or waive your rights. If you are a water right claimant, you must monitor this proceeding to determine upcoming deadlines and court hearings. Deadlines and hearing dates may be found:

• On this website under the Main Menu “Upcoming Hearings and Upcoming Deadlines“
• In a Monthly Lower Rio Grande Adjudication Report available by email or by first class mail for an annual subscription fee

How to file your documents:

• US Mail and in Person:  Third Judicial District Court, 201 W. Picacho Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88005
• Facsimile: 575-523-8290
• Email: lcrdfax@nmcourts.gov (place CIVIL in subject line ONLY)
• E-File:        E-Filing is not available at this time.  Please file your documents as noted above.