Water resources data for the 1996 water year for New Mexico consist of records of discharge and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality in wells and springs. This report contains discharge records for 172 gaging stations; stage and contents for 26 lakes and reservoirs; water quality for 51 gaging stations and 19 wells; and water levels at 126 observation wells. Also included are 82 crest-stage partial-record stations. Additional water data were collected at various sites not involved in the systematic data collection program, and are published as miscellaneous measurements. These data represent that part of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in New Mexico.