The view of Elephant Butte Reservoir from the porch of one of the historic casitas. Reclamation Photo by Jenny Erickson
ALBUQUERQUE, NM. – The Bureau of Reclamation recently announced an $11.3 million contract award to ORCOM, a Division of Ortega Companies, Inc., for the first phase of an infrastructure improvement project at the Elephant Butte Historic District in New Mexico. Funding for this project is provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
This effort will enhance recreational facilities for the popular Elephant Butte Reservoir, which receives over one million visitors annually, by addressing critical utility needs and upgrades and ensuring the long-term sustainability of this iconic landmark that has been enjoyed by generations.
Much of the existing utilities at Elephant Butte date back to the early 20th century and are due for upgrades. Reclamation will replace water and wastewater lines, and overhead electric lines with buried electric lines. The project also includes modernizing technology at the historic district with the installation of fiber optic lines and electric vehicle charging stations. Utility construction is slated to begin in the winter of 2024 and will span approximately 13 months.
Recreation area enhancements include redesigning the RV park for more effective use of space, installing new RV hook-ups, and introducing DarkSky Approved lighting in the parking lot and RV park.
After the completion of this utility work, the Federal Highway Administration will undertake a second construction contract to repave the Dam Site and fish hatchery (Paseo del Rio) recreation areas.
“This massive undertaking at the Elephant Butte Historic District is really a transformative infrastructure project that the area hasn’t seen on this scale for decades,” said Reclamation Project Manager Hannah Schechter. “These facility upgrades ensure the historic district’s long-term viability and secure its legacy for generations to come and create new family memories.”
Additional projects in the historic district also benefiting from BIL investment are in the design phases and will begin construction over the next several years: Dam Site restaurant repairs to address needed structural maintenance, followed by upgrades to ensure a pleasant dining experience for visitors; replacement of aging systems at the fish hatchery septic and leach field area to promote environmental sustainability; replacement of the Dam Site irrigation system with a more modern design, to enhance landscaping and conserve water within the Historic District; and window replacements at the Dam Site casitas to improve energy efficiency and historic aesthetics. Restoration work being completed on the historic casitas by the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps and Cornerstones Community Partnership under an existing grant will also continue this fall.
Reclamation recognizes the importance of minimizing disruptions during peak recreational seasons and is working closely with the recreation operator and contractor to achieve this objective. For more information on the construction projects, planned construction updates and closures, please contact Hannah Schechter at (505) 362-2877 or hschechter@usbr.gov.
