Light penetration in aridland rivers, such as the Rio Grande, is restricted, in part, by high suspended sediment loads. Limited light availability can restrict primary producers, such as algae, that are dependent on light to support photosynthesis. The aim of this research is to investigate the association among crucial parameters like light penetration, water depth, stream velocity, and turbidity to better understand the habitat limitations for primary producers that depend on light for photosynthesis. The goal of this research is to be able to predict where suitable algal habitat is located in the river, given certain abiotic conditions. Data were collected at three different sites along the Middle Rio Grande, central New Mexico, to analyze how these parameters change in relationship to each other. Velocity (m/s), depth (cm), light intensity (µmol) in the water column, and turbidity (NTU) were collected at each site. All parameters were measured in depth increments of 5 centimeters from the surface of the water to the riverbed. Preliminary results showed that turbidity levels increased from upstream to downstream sites and highlighted depth and turbidity as key influencers in the intensity of light availability (p>0.05). A predictive relationship between algal biomass and environmental variables will help assess suitable algal habitat under different turbidity scenarios. With decreases in the water availability associated with droughts and climate change, it is hypothesized that turbidity levels will increase in the river as current sediment loads mix with lower surface water levels. This increased turbidity may decrease the light availability, therefore limiting the habitat available to primary producers. This potential impact in the primary producer dynamics has important implications for aridland rivers, like the Rio Grande, in terms of impacts to the structure and function of the ecosystem.