- Reclamation
- News & Multimedia
- News Releases
- News Release Archive
- Pecos River Continues to Flood Due to Heavy Rains
News Release Archive
Pecos River Continues to Flood Due to Heavy Rains
Media Contact:
Mary Perea Carlson, (505) 462-3576, mcarlson@usbr.gov
For Release: September 12, 2013
CARLSBAD, NM - Water levels are rising in the Pecos River as rains continue in the area.
About 5,000 cubic-feet-per-second is flowing past Avalon Dam and through Carlsbad. The channel below Avalon Dam and through Carlsbad is designed to hold 20,000 cfs, however, those with boating or recreation equipment in the river should be prepared for some disturbance.
The Bureau of Reclamation is coordinating with the Carlsbad Irrigation District and the Eddy County Emergency Manager.
Reclamation is also closely monitoring rising flows in Dark Canyon on the southern end of Carlsbad. Gages are showing water levels in Dark Canyon have risen significantly in the last couple of hours. This water will be combining with the approximately 5,000 cfs flowing through Carlsbad.
Anyone in the vicinity of the Pecos from Artesia south to the Texas border should be alert and listen for any directions from Eddy County. If you are not working with area law enforcement or emergency management, the irrigation district or Reclamation, please stay away from Avalon Dam and the Pecos. Reclamation has declared a Response Level 1 for Avalon.
Although water levels in all reservoirs along the Pecos have significantly increased in the last 24-hours, plenty of storage space remains at Santa Rosa, Fort Sumner and Brantley Reservoirs. The National Weather Service predicts more precipitation along the Pecos into this afternoon.
# # #
The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.
