Newsletter

The City of Albuquerque's Water Plan to begin diverting San Juan/Chama water for municipal use has serious implications for the health and well being of the Rio Grande.

Albuquerque currently draws its water supply from wells tapping into the underground aquifer beneath the city. As the City has grown, so has the deficit between the amount of water pumped from the aquifer and the amount replenishing it each year. The City proposed to offset the over-pumping of ground water by drawing new supplies from the flows of the Rio Grande by 2005.

The option chosen to accomplish this goal is the construction of a new diversion dam (close to the Paseo del Norte bridge), which will direct the water to a new treatment plant on Chappell Road (near Costco). The most significant impact to the river will result from the City's proposed withdrawal of twice their allotment of water at the diversion point. Return flows from the City's wastewater treatment facility would not re-enter the Rio until 14 miles downstream, in the South Valley, leaving an already stressed stretch of river with less water than normal.

While concerns about the depletion of Albuquerque's underground aquifer are justified, the water plan proposed by the City seeks to avoid one disaster while potentially creating another: (Continued on Page 2>>)

The Bosque Restoration Demonstration Project, a 5-acre site located between Central and Bridge (adjacent to Tingley Beach) on the east side of the Rio Grande, is well underway.

The project is designed for public education purposes, to graphically depict the contrast between a restored bosque and the bosque in its present condition. It is being utilized as a teaching site for public officials, schools, and the community at large. It also provides

opportunities for public participation in restoration activities.

Clearing of the understory, including the removal of non-native invasive species, has been accomplished by inmate work crews under the supervision of the State Forestry Division of Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources. Construction and other sizable debris was hauled

away, in cooperation with Lafarge Corporation.

More than 30 volunteers, from the local neighborhood, area churches, and environmental organizations, as well as passers-by, participated in an afternoon of cottonwood pole planting in early April. We had significant media coverage of this event.

Tours to the site have included the Mayor, members of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District staff and Board of Directors, and representatives of the Hispanic Cultural Center.

Additional funding has provided us with the opportunity to expand the restoration site to the originally proposed 10 acres, and efforts will continue through Spring, 2002.

(Continued on Page 2>>)