Low water levels reduces Rio Grande to puddles, mud in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — If you’ve seen the Rio Grande recently, you’ll notice something is missing – water.

It’s sort of turned into a dry river bed with some puddles and streams here and there.

“Even from difference from last week to this week, I see a lot of dirt in that river right now. Not near as much water,” said Jason Casuga, CEO and chief engineer of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. 

Chopper 4 got a bird’s eye view of just how dry it is right now.

At the I-40 overpass over the Rio Grande, there is mostly just mud and dirt.

Moving south of the I-40 bridge, the bridge on Central running over the Rio Grande is the same story – mostly mud and dirt.

In fact, the water level is so low, that people trying to fish with their poles had better luck just grabbing the fish with their hands.

“It’s just that shallow, you can see ’em and pick it up with your hands,” said David Silva. 

Casuga had one final word:

“If I can end on anything, I end with, ‘if you’re a praying sort of person, pray for rain,” said Casuga.