ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It's already a challenging year for water in the Rio Grande, now there are new indicators of just how bad this year's water supply conditions may be in the metro area. “I think given the forecast for water supply conditions, I think widespread river channel drying is l ikely this year,” said River Operations Manager for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) Anne Marken. Story continues below Business: Two big New Mexico brands up for sale as owner looks toward retirement Education: Albuquerque high school students get up-close look at big-time film production News: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham authorizes National Guard deployment to ABQ MRGCD said it will be another challenging year getting farmers the water they need for crops. They said river flows right now are well below what they need to meet the needs of the middle valley. “Right now, we're in a period where we are trying to distribute what water is available as equitably as possible," said Marken. At this time last year, in the Middle Rio Grande Valley, the river had more water flowing through it. "Right now, there's about 550 cubic feet per second entering the Middle Rio Grande Valley, and this time last year it was about 750 cubic feet per second,” added Marken. Meanwhile, the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority said that when the Rio Grande gets too low, they can't rely on it for municipal water treatment and have to use the aquifer instead. They said on Friday, the area hasn’t reached that point yet. “When the river reaches a certain level in terms of the flow of cubic feet per second, we have to stop diverting water from the river that would otherwise be taken, treated, and added to the drinking water supply,” said David Morris, Spokesman for the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority. The river is expected to be low during Albuquerque’s hottest months of the year. “We are hearing that we expect the river to dry up actually in this region later in the spring, early summer, which is fairly unusual,” said Morris. The water authority reminds folks to be mindful of their water usage. Homeowners are asked to water just twice a week. Right now, there is no outdoor watering between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. MRGCD said the forecast for the monsoon season has improved, but it’s too early to plan for the season. ...read more read less