U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Allocates $10.48M for New Mexico Water Projects

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has allocated over $10,478,478 in additional money for water resources projects across New Mexico.

The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for designing and building major flood control, water management, and environmental restorations projects throughout the United States.

The 2019 Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan includes funding for the following New Mexico priorities:

Water Infrastructure Construction

Acequias Irrigation System: $1.8 million to rehabilitate Turley Acequia, which is located in rural San Juan County and serves landowners growing alfalfa and grass across approximately 270 acres of land. This project will fund maintenance of the existing irrigation system by installing pipe to reduce water loss, and eliminate debris and stormwater runoff from causing damage.

Central New Mexico Projects: $5,208,748 to finish reimbursements to counties and cities under Section 593, benefitting the Town of Bernalillo, Bernalillo County, the City of Rio Rancho, and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, for these projects:

– $1,009,638 for the Albuquerque West Levee Project– $1,701,704 for the South Valley Drinking Water Project– $2,497,406 for the Rio Rancho Water Upgrade II Project

These funds are the final reimbursements for these communities and starting in FY20, new projects can be funded.

Investigations for Future Construction

Tribal Partnership Program: $2.5 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to work collaboratively with Tribes to study the feasibility of water resource projects that will substantially benefit tribal members. Projects may address flood damage reduction, environmental restoration and protection, and preservation of cultural and natural resources.

Rio Grande, Sandia Pueblo to Isleta Pueblo — Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration: $825,000 to complete the feasibility study phase for the Middle Rio Grande Flood Control project.

Operation and Maintenance

In addition to the above funding, which was allocated by the Corps of Engineers, the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill championed by Udall, Heinrich, Luján, and Lujan Grisham directed funding for specific projects and provided over $17.9 million for the operations and maintenance of water resources projects across New Mexico, including:

– Abiquiu Dam: $3,715,000

– Cochiti Lake: $3,585,000

– Conchas Lake: $2,726,000

– Galisteo Dam: $935,000

– Inspection of Completed Environmental Projects: $27,000

– Inspection of Completed Works: $561,000

– Jemez Canyon Dam: $849,000

– Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program: $2,117,000

– Santa Rosa Dam and Lake: $1,385,000

– Scheduling Reservoir Operations: $199,000

– Two Rivers Dam: $1,056,000– Upper Rio Grande Water Operations Model Study: $746,000