Surface Water Quality Bureau
Water Quality Standards
Outstanding National
Resource Waters

ONRWs receive the highest level of protection under the state Water Quality Act.  This designation now protects approximately 700 miles of 192 perennial rivers and streams, 29 lakes, and approximately 6,000 acres of wetlands.

The criteria for ONRW designation in New Mexico are set forth in the Water Quality Standards at Section 20.6.4.9.B NMAC, which provides that a surface water of the state, or a portion of a surface water of the state, may be designated as an ONRW where the Water Quality Control Commission determines that the designation is beneficial to the State of New Mexico, and:

The water is a significant attribute of special trout waters, national or state park, national or state monument, national or state wildlife refuge or designated wilderness area, or is part of a designated wild river under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act; or

The water has exceptional recreational or ecological significance; or

The existing water quality is equal to or better than the numeric criteria for protection of aquatic life uses, recreational uses, and human health uses, and the water has not been significantly modified by human activities in a manner that substantially detracts from its value as a natural resource.