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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Susan Montoya Bryan

US Supreme Court settles long-running water dispute over dwindling Rio Grande

Rio Grande Water Fight - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The U.S. Supreme Court has approved a settlement package designed to rein in groundwater pumping along one of North America’s longest rivers and ensure enough water reliably makes it from New Mexico to Texas, ending a long-running dispute over management of the Rio Grande.

In a brief order Tuesday, the court accepted the recommendation of a special master to move forward with agreements first proposed last year by New Mexico, Texas and Colorado.

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