Water is lifeblood for eastern New Mexico

Living in Eastern New Mexico, I have come to appreciate the vast open spaces, the quiet beauty of the land and, most importantly, the deep connection between our communities, our livelihoods, and our water.

My family has been farming here since 1917, and over generations, we have watched the Ogallala Aquifer decline. When my grandfather started farming, no one worried about water running out. Today, we know better.

Water is the lifeblood of our region. Without it, there is no agriculture, no cattle, and no future for our way of life.

The Ogallala has been our main water source, but its levels continue to decline. We pump water from over 450 feet deep, and every year more wells dry up. The reality is clear: if we do not take steps to conserve and protect our water sources, we risk losing everything.

That is why we made the difficult decision to participate in a conservation partnership, agreeing to convert our irrigated land to dryland to preserve water.

It was not easy. Farmers are deeply connected to the land, and irrigation has always been an essential part of our operations. But we saw the reality — if we continued to pump at the same rate, the water would disappear, and our land would no longer sustain us.

This decision ensures that we can continue to live and work here, that our cattle have enough water, and that future generations can carry on our way of life.

For us, it was the right thing to do. Our partnership has been made easier by working with Ladona Clayton at the Ogallala Land & Water Conservancy, who has shown a true commitment to making conservation work for both farmers and the broader community.

Every year, more people are waking up to the severity of our water crisis. Water is too precious to waste, and we must take action now to protect it for future generations.

Water can’t wait.

Ricky Lockmiller, Melrose

Letters to the Editor, Feb. 26, 2025, Eastern NM News