News Release Archive

Water Releases to Increase Out of El Vado

Media Contact: Mary Perea Carlson, (505) 462-3576, mperea@uc.usbr.gov

For Release: February 22, 2008

Beginning Monday, water levels in the Rio Chama will be unusually high for this time of year to accommodate an early water repayment schedule by the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD).

The Bureau of Reclamation will increase releases out of El Vado Reservoir in northern New Mexico from about 175 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 600 cfs as MRGCD repays the 22,500 acre-feet of water it borrowed in 2000 from the city of Albuquerque. The water is being moved to Elephant Butte Reservoir. While the 600 cfs is quite a bit higher than the typical flow of the river for this time of year, it is a common flow for the months of spring runoff.

"We want to advise people who may be planning work or recreation activities on or near the Rio Chama about the elevated water levels so no one is caught off guard," said Leann Towne, Reclamation's Water Management Division Chief in Albuquerque.

This release is expected to last approximately three weeks. Flows will likely remain at the increased level through the spring as the above average snowpack begins to melt.

Reclamation expects to fill El Vado Reservoir to capacity this spring and is already preparing water management plans to ensure that water that cannot be stored is safely moved down the river.

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