I understand that the Animas River has run dry in Farmington, New Mexico. We are under water restrictions in Durango, and there are hay fields in my area that pump water nearly 24 hours a day. Those are massive pumps, moving tens of thousands of gallons per day – millions per field during the grow season.
There are many hay fields in the area. I used to purchase hay from a farmer on Farmington Hill who sells nearly 30,000 bales a year to California. Maybe it is time for California to buy hay and alfalfa from a region that has plenty of water to irrigate. Maybe we should conserve our water for other crops or personal use.
Eric Gay
Durango