Texas, New Mexico dispute over Rio Grande heads to trial

 The yearslong legal battle between New Mexico and Texas over who has taken an unfair share of Rio Grande water is headed to trial after the two states missed their settlement deadline.

The case involves complex legal issues surrounding the 1938 Rio Grande Compact, which governs water deliveries to New Mexico, Texas and Colorado. And it's part of a tangled web of lawsuits and countersuits. But it's simple at its heart. 

Texas has accused New Mexico of letting farmers pump groundwater for irrigation near the Rio Grande south of Elephant Butte, reducing the river flow and denying Texas its full share of water under the compact.

New Mexico contends Texas has always received its full allotment, despite farmers drilling wells near the river.

New Mexico further argues it has been deprived of its fair share of water...MORE