News Release Archive

Flows Rise on the Rio Grande and Recede on the Pecos

Media Contact: Mary Perea Carlson, 505-462-3576

For Release: September 13, 2013

ELEPHANT BUTTE, NM – The Rio Grande between Elephant Butte and Caballo Reservoirs is now the point of focus for flooding in New Mexico. The river in that area is rising rapidly due to high flows from Cuchillo Creek. Mescal Arroyo is also on the rise.

The channel capacity in that area is 5,000 cubic-feet-per-second and the river is currently flowing at that level.

Evacuations are under way along the Rio Grande in that area of Truth or Consequences as well as in Williamsburg and Los Palomas. Highway 51 near the Rio Grande has been closed.

Caballo Reservoir is prepared to receive the flows. The public is advised to stay away from the Rio Grande and Elephant Butte and Caballo Reservoirs.

On the Pecos River, flows continue to recede this morning. Flows out of Avalon Dam continue to decline. The flow through Carlsbad is well within the channel capacity.

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