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Water is New Mexico's most precious resource, especially during times of drought. Under New Mexico water law, all ground and surface waters belong to the public and are subject to appropriation under the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation, a constitutional provision that says earlier appropriations have priority over later appropriations.
The Water Resources Allocation Program (WRAP) with the Office of the State Engineer is responsible for processing water rights applications, conducting the scientific research for making those water rights decisions, maintaining water rights records, and enforcing any conditions or restrictions on water use. Water masters in the program measure stream flow, allocate the water within a stream system based on state water law, and regulate and control diversions. Staff also inventory water resources, monitor water use, and cooperate with the U.S. Geologic Survey in monitoring groundwater levels throughout the state. Additional duties are licensing all well drillers, maintaining and updating the rules and regulations of the State Engineer, inspecting non-federal dams, evaluating subdivision water-supply plans submitted by counties, and promoting water conservation.