Welcome to the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District
"Keeping the Valley Green"
Early Voting Begins Monday, May 20th
Early Voting for the 2013 Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Board of Directors Election begins Monday, May 20, 2013. Early Voting locations will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday and on Saturday, June 1, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Voters may cast a ballot at any of the following Early Voting locations:
- Cochiti Pueblo Community Room 255 Cochiti Street, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072
- Sandoval County Voting Machine Warehouse, 800 South Hill Rd, Bernalillo, NM 87004
- Los Ranchos Village Hall 6718 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Los Ranchos de Alb, NM 87107
- MRGCD District Office 1931 Second Street SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
- Adobe Acres Elementary School 1724 Camino Del Valle SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105
- Socorro Electric Coop 215 Manzanares Ave., Socorro, NM 87801
The Candidates are:
Bernalillo County, Position #3 Sandoval County, Position #7
Jim Roberts Derrick J. Lente
Karen Dunning David Lorenzo C’deBaca
Bernalillo County, Position #4 Socorro County, Position #6
Andrew Leo Lopez Jericho Sanchez
Adrian Oglesby Chris Sichler
Louis C. Trujillo
Election Day is Tuesday, June 4, 2013.
For further information contact the Election Director, Ernie Marquez at Automated Election Services, (505) 891-0525.
Water Bank Curtailed Until Further Notice
To: MRGCD WATER BANK USERS, MRGCD BOARD MEMBERS, DIVISION MANAGERS, DITCH RIDER SUPERVISORS & DITCH RIDERS
Date: May 13, 2013
Re: CURTAILMENT OF MRGCD WATER BANK DELIVERIES
As you know, due to drought conditions and inadequate storage in our reservoirs, a very limited amount of water has been available this year for our irrigators. Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) Water Bank users were advised that the curtailment of Water Bank deliveries this year was almost certain; given the limited supplies of water. MRGCD Water Bank Rule 23 contains two water cessation supply triggers (storage at El Vado Dam below 91,000 AF and natural flow in the river below 900 cfs) that, when met, require curtailment of Water Bank leases. As of May 13, 2013, both triggers requiring cessation of Water Bank deliveries contained in MRGCD Water Bank Rule 23 have occurred.
Water deliveries to persons receiving water under a Water Bank lease will no longer be scheduled effective at noon on May 13, 2013. Deliveries that are currently scheduled through noon on May 18th may be completed. After that time, no deliveries under Water Bank leases will be permitted after noon on May 18th until further notice.
Failure to follow MRGCD Water Bank Rule 23 Section 23-4.00(G) and the Water Bank lease agreement will result in violation of policy. Appropriate actions will be taken.
When conditions change and additional water is available for Water Bank leases, your Ditch Rider will advise you or it will be posted on www.mrgcd.com.
Your cooperation is appreciated.
Thank you.
Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District
Farmers' Forecast
5/13/13
Inflow to El Vado has dropped. At this time, it is uncretain whether it is just cooler temperatures or if the peak of the runoff has passed. However, total natural flow has delined below the minimum for Water Bank delivers, and Water Bank users will be curtailed until further notice. Total flow entering the middle valley is about 1000 cfs, but this includes relases from storage for both ABCWUA and the Silvery Minnow. Some storage has occurred at El Vado over the past two weeks, but it has almost stopped now.
Total natural flow produced above Cochiti is about 750 cubic feet per second (cfs).
Bureau of Reclamation is releasing 250 cfs of for the Rio Grande Silvery minnow.
ABCWUA/Sante Fe are releasing about 80 cfs from Abiquiu reservoir
Total release from Cochiti Reservoir is increasing today is about 1000 cfs. This is being distributed between MRGCD divisions, based on acreage served, as follows:
| Division |
CFS |
Notes |
| Cochiti |
125 |
45 cfs to west side, 80 cfs to east side, all excess flow returned above Angostura |
| Albuquerque |
125 |
145 cfs with Cochiti return flow, 105 cfs to Albuquerque Main Canal, 10 cfs to Corrales 65 cfs to N Valley, 70 cfs to S. Valley,
35 cfs to Barr Main (S. Valley/Barr include N Valley returns) |
| Belen |
390 |
Primary delivery to west side (Belen High Line). Some east side deliveries possible, and Diversion to Belen High Line will end Wednesday (5/15), primary flow shifted to Peralta Main Thursday (5/16) |
| Socorro |
165 |
Dependent on Belen outflow, San Acacia diversion now being made as flow allows |
Bureau of Reclamation water (250 cfs) is being bypassed at Isleta and San Acacia dams to maintain flows for Rio Grande Silvery Minnow.
Natural flow is below the flow requirements for Water Bank deliveries. Water Bank users are curtailed.
Informational Meetings Attract Good Crowds
Two informational meetings conducted by the District in Valencia and Socorro Counties drew hundreds of farmers and ranchers to hear the latest on the water outlook for the mid valley and to air their concerns about irrigation and District policies. 
With 80 people in attendance in Socorro and 140 plus in Belen, Board members and District staff offered information on irrigation scheduling, water projections for the season, possible water bank curtailments and an update on endangered species in the District, especially the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow.
District hydrologist, David Gensler released the latest run-off figures that drastically reduce projected water amounts in the mid valley. Gensler told the Belen group that run-off figures have been reduced to about 30 percent, equating to a losss of more than 100-thousand acre feet of water.
At each meeting it was heavily stressed that farmers needing irrigation must schedule with their ditch rider to ensure that water will be available.
It was also noted that it's becoming almost a certainty that Water Bank users will be curtailed sometime in late spring or early summer.
MRGCD Board of Directors Approve Changes to Water Bank Policy
The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Board of Directors, by unanimous vote and resolution, has approved changes to the Water Bank Rule 23.
The proposed changes will impact current and future irrigators leasing water from the District thru the Water Bank program.
Click below for the new rules and resolution.
Water Bank Rule 23
MRGCD Board of Directors Approves Updated Water Distribution Policy
By a unanimous vote the MRGCD Board of Directors approved an updated Water Distribution Policy that takes effect immediately.
The revised regulations outline the rules for irrigators and water user within the district. These updated rules include provisions for dealing with district residents who are irrigating illegally. This includes those who do not have water rights and are not utilizing the MRGCD Water Bank, but continue to irrigate property.
At its June 25, 2012 meeting the board directed MRGCD staff to take measures to identify those who are irrigating without right and initiate appropriate action to stop the illegal irrigation. Those actions could entail a written notification to cease irrigation, locking turnouts, and/or legal action.
Click on the link below for a copy of the Board Resolution authorizing the policy and a full version of the revised Water Distribution Policy.
2012 Water Distribution Policy