Farmers on Rio Grande in New Mexico face early water cutoff

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Hundreds of farmers who rely on the water from the irrigation district that channels water along the Rio Grande in central New Mexico face a second straight year of early cutoffs.

The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District board voted Friday to end deliveries for irrigation a month early because of low water availability.

The Oct. 1 shutoff means winter crops are at risk.

The board said the shutoff is necessary because of long-term drought and a large water debt owed to southern New Mexico and Texas.