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Views of a Vanishing River
Can the Rio Grande’s rich tapestry of life be saved?
The Pueblo Indians called it “posoge"—big river. From its source in the melting snows of the Rockies, the river flowed wild and strong for 1,900 miles through stands of cottonwood and willow, sagebrush deserts, and deep canyons to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, its fertile wetlands and verdant streamside forests formed a green ribbon of life in an otherwise arid landscape. Cranes, eagles, kites, falcons, warblers, terns and hundreds of other varieties of birds found vital food and shelter here. Ocelot, jaguarundi and other mammals prowled its vegetation. Suckers, darters, chubs and minnows—many varieties of fish found only in this river—flashed through its waters.
Then European settlers arrived and the river’s face began to change along with its name (Spanish colonists over the years called it Rio Bravo, Rio Grande, Rio del Norte). Towns sprang up on its shores and became cities: Albuquerque, El Paso, Juarez, Laredo. Small farms became vast plantations of citrus and vegetables, or huge cattle ranches. To slake the thirst of the growing population and irrigate crops and livestock in this parched climate, the Rio Grande was dammed, drained and diverted into concrete channels. In some places, the big river dwindled to a trickle—or nothing at all.
Today, nearly 10 million people live in its drainage. Demands on the river outstrip supply, and the Rio Grande’s future is in jeopardy. Dozens of species of animals and plants have disappeared from the basin and others—such as the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow and the Southwestern willow flycatcher—hang on by a thread. Cottonwoods and other native plants are in decline, and foreign plants such as salt cedar and Russian olive are on the rise.
While much has been lost, there is still hope. If citizens and government officials can summon the will power to curb water use, restore wildlife habitats and protect imperiled species, the Rio Grande’s decline can be stemmed. And, perhaps one day soon, the big river will live up to its name again.
Defending the Rio Grande
The waters of the Rio Grande once flowed freely, providing a haven for fish and other wildlife. The Rio Grande silvery minnow—one of five varieties of fish native to the river—was once so abundant that it could turn stretches of the river into living mirrors.
Today, long sections of the Rio Grande go dry, four species of fish native to the river have disappeared and the silvery minnow is limited to five percent of its former range. "If we lose the silvery minnow, the Rio Grande and much of its native habitat will go with it," says Kara Gillon, water counsel for Defenders of Wildlife. “And once the river is gone, we still will have the same problem we’re facing today: too many human demands on too little water."
Defenders is attempting to restore the natural abundance of the Rio Grande by promoting water conservation in cities and on farms, as well as protecting native plants and trees along the riverbanks. In addition, Defenders is working with other groups and government agencies on a plan to save the silvery minnow.
