Upper Rio Grande Watershed District Operation and Maintenance

The Upper Rio Grande Watershed District currently operates and maintains 7 flood control structures to the standards set forth by the Office of the State Engineer Dam Safety Bureau. Sites 1 through 6 are located on the West side of the Rio Grande beginning at Ohkay Owingeh and ending in Estaca. Site 18 is located on the East side of the Rio Grande near the community of Alcalde. 

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The flood control structures are now between 30 and 40 years old. These structures require ongoing annual operation and maintenance to keep the embankments and outlet works in good condition. As the dams are aging, they will now require periodic repairs to ensure they will operated as expected to protect the downstream communities. 

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All flood control dams need to be evaluated for the capacity to manage a large storm event. It is anticipated that the structures will need upgrading to raise the dam crest and/or widen the auxiliary spillway to prevent dam overtopping or failure. 

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We are also monitoring the dam easements for encroachment to ensure gravel mining operations or other adjacent private property owners are not negatively impacting the flood control structures. 

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