Albuquerque, N.M. - The Bureau of Reclamation will create a pulse flow on the Rio Chama next week to move sediment and help improve fish habitat, while efficiently moving water downstream.
Starting Nov. 29, releases from El Vado Dam will be increased for 5 days. The releases will begin with an increase from 100 cubic feet per second to 1,000 cfs, then about an hour later to 2,000 cfs, and about another hour later to 3,000 cfs. It will be reduced to 2,000 cfs Nov. 30 and to 1,000 cfs Dec. 1. The release will be reduced to the base flow of 100 cfs Dec. 3.
“Consistent with our mission, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our water management activities and the ecosystem of the rivers where our facilities are located," said Albuquerque Area Manager Jennifer Faler. “This gives us an opportunity to improve conditions on the Rio Chama, while moving this water in the most efficient way possible down the system."
The Rio Chama riverbed below El Vado will take on water quickly and could be unpredictable and possibly dangerous during this release. Recreators are asked to use increased caution in the area and to avoid the river during this period, when possible.
During spring runoff, some water is held at El Vado Reservoir for irrigation of pueblo lands in the Middle Rio Grande. In years when Rio Grande Compact storage restrictions are in place, Reclamation releases any unused water so that it can reach Elephant Butte Reservoir before the end of the year.
El Vado Reservoir is currently holding about 32,000 acre-feet of water. After this release, approximately 18,000 acre-feet will remain in storage. Reclamation will continue to release about 100 cfs through the rest of winter to draw the reservoir down for spring. Following the spring runoff, Reclamation will begin the first phase of repairs on El Vado Dam, which will include foundation grouting, grouting behind the steel faceplates and installing a geomembrane over the face of the dam.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
