Rio Grande River Reach to Dry in areas of Albuquerque
For Immediate Release
Contact: Amanda Molina, MRGCD PIO, (505)859-0175
Albuquerque, NM – Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District water managers have announced that the public should expect minimal flows in the Albuquerque Reach of the Rio Grande. There is potential for some of the river to dry in this reach in the coming days or weeks. Water supply to the Middle Rio Grande has decreased precipitously over the past couple of weeks, and without significant inflow from rain events, river conditions are expected to continue to decline.
As announced in their September water update, MRGCD water officials alerted Middle Rio Gande Valley water users of water availability being limited for irrigation deliveries. “Water availability will be limited if there are no rain inflows once MRGCD is out of storage water in early September,” the water update stated.
While dry river areas can seem like a safe open space to explore, MRGCD officials and its partners ask that the public steer clear of such areas. Sudden rain runoff and flash flooding could pose a dangerous environment to members of the public. In addition, trekking through a dry riverbed could permanently damage its habitat.
About the MRGCD
The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) operates, maintains and manages irrigation, drainage and river flood control in the middle valley. Serving approximately 11,000 irrigators, six pueblos and 100,000 parcels of land throughout the Middle Rio Grande, MRGCD is essential to maintaining the facilities required to upkeep the agricultural production in this area. The MRGCD owns and manages 30,000 acres of bosque, and has helped to establish Tingley Beach, the Rio Grande Nature Center, Los Lunas Bosque Open Space, Corrales Bosque Preserve, Escondido Lake State Park, among several more and all of which are open for recreational use by the public. The MRGCD also works in cooperation with other local, state, and federal agencies to protect the environment, wildlife, and endangered species. To learn more about the MRGCD visit www.mrgcd.com.