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Drought conditions have pushed the Rio Grande river to a critical point. In Albuquerque the riverbed has dried completely. For the third year in a row exceptionally low winter snowpack rising spring temperatures and ongoing drought have caused the river to run dry through the city. The situation has developed earlier and extended farther north than in prior years placing the river ecosystem under severe stress. Reservoirs throughout New Mexico sit at critically low levels. Elephant Butte Reservoir for example currently holds only nine percent of its capacity. Water managers face difficult decisions in allocating limited supplies. The endangered silvery minnow has experienced sharp population losses. Federal efforts to stimulate spawning have met with limited success and many fish remain stranded on the exposed riverbed. This situation underscores broader challenges facing the American West where states experience drought conditions for about three quarters of the year. Although Albuquerque maintains reliable municipal water supplies through groundwater sources the drying river signals serious long term climate concerns. Strict terms of the 1938 Rio Grande Compact limit options for water redistribution. Local officials therefore rely on hopes for robust monsoon rains. Experts emphasize the need for stronger public conservation efforts especially regarding outdoor water use. Growing demands from sectors such as technology infrastructure add further strain to already stressed water systems.