- New agreement allows storing up to 100,000 acre-feet of Rio Grande water.
- Water stored in Abiquiu Reservoir during El Vado Dam repairs.
- Ensures continued water supply for irrigators and communities.
- Collaboration between federal and local water agencies.
November 20, 2024 — In a collaborative effort to safeguard water supplies during critical dam repairs, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District have reached a 10-year agreement to store Rio Grande water in Abiquiu Reservoir in New Mexico. The parties intend to ensure that communities and irrigators along the Middle Rio Grande continue to receive essential water resources while El Vado Dam undergoes significant safety improvements.
Ensuring Water Security.
Under the agreement, the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority will allow up to 100,000 acre-feet of combined storage of pueblo and irrigation district usable water in its allotted space within Abiquiu Reservoir. This temporary solution allows the Middle Rio Grande project to operate smoothly despite the ongoing repairs at El Vado Dam.
“Thanks to the flexibility of our partners, we can continue our evaluation and repairs of El Vado Dam while ensuring the safe storage of water for Middle Rio Grande irrigators, water users, and for Rio Grande Compact purposes,” said Jennifer Faler, Reclamation Albuquerque Area Manager
. “These strong, cooperative partnerships help us use every drop of water for multiple benefits.”
Benefits for Local Communities.
The agreement supports agricultural activities and benefits local communities by maintaining surface water supplies. “The agreement represents a win for all users,” said Eric C. Olivas, chair of the the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority’s governing board. “It helps the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority and our customers by requiring strategic releases of stored Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District water to maintain flows at the central stream gage above 200 cubic feet per second, allowing us to continue surface water diversions instead of tapping groundwater reserves.”
By keeping river flows above critical levels, the partnership helps preserve the ecological health of the Rio Grande. It reduces reliance on groundwater, which is crucial for the long-term sustainability of the region’s water resources.
, via the Bureau of Reclamation.El Vado Dam Repairs.
Constructed in the 1930s, El Vado Dam is a key facility in water storage and management along the Rio Grande. In 2022, when Reclamation lowered the water level in El Vado Reservoir to facilitate repairs, it was discovered that the dam’s steel faceplate and supporting structures were in worse condition than previously thought. This led to a suspension of work in March 2024 due to unforeseen challenges.
Testing and Plans.
Reclamation is now conducting a “first fill test” by gradually raising the water level in El Vado Reservoir to assess the dam’s stability at different elevations. The findings will inform the development of a long-term solution for the dam’s rehabilitation.
The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, the city of Santa Fe, and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District are contributing their water for this test, highlighting the region’s commitment to cooperative water management. These efforts ensure that even during infrastructure challenges, water remains available for agricultural, municipal, and environmental needs. For more information and a timeline of El Vado Dam repair work, visit the Bureau of Reclamation’s website.
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Top image via Bureau of Land Management news release. “Abiquiu Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managed lake, with recreation areas and a campground. The lake is a 5,200-surface-acre reservoir in northern New Mexico.”
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