ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Strategic coordination on water operations will again be key along the Rio Grande this summer as water managers prepare for an exceptionally dry year amidst continuing drought conditions. This year's spring runoff may be near or below the lowest on record.

Today, the Bureau of Reclamation released its Annual Operating Plans for the Rio Grande and the Pecos River. Despite several large storms in late 2024, snowpack this winter was well below average, and runoff is expected to be low. Predictions are for hot, dry conditions through June, while the chance for monsoon rains looks better in July. The effect this may have on farmers and river conditions is uncertain, so it could be another difficult year for water users along the rivers.

"Reclamation will continue to work closely with the irrigation districts, Pueblos, states, other federal agencies, municipalities, and all other stakeholders to support coordinated water use aimed at achieving multiple benefits whenever possible as this megadrought continues," said Albuquerque Area Office Manager Jennifer Faler. "Reclamation is committed to providing every drop of water available in the most efficient way we can."

Most reservoirs along the Rio Chama and Rio Grande are holding less than 15% of their capacity heading into the irrigation season, which means there is very little water in storage to supplement what will flow through the river this year for irrigation, municipalities, and recreation.

On the Pecos River, basin-wide snow water equivalent was 16% of median on March 31, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service predicted 9,000 acre-feet of inflow to Santa Rosa Reservoir from March to July. Given the low snowpack, it seems unlikely that any snowmelt runoff will reach Santa Rosa Reservoir and any additional water coming into the reservoir would have to come from rainstorms.

At the end of March, snow water equivalent was 40% of median for the Rio Chama Basin, 62% of median for the Rio Grande headwaters, 27% of median for the Sangre de Cristos, and only 2% of median for the Jemez. Based on these values, the Natural Resources Conservation Service streamflow forecast issued for the month of April predicts that the Rio Chama flow into the El Vado Reservoir will be 32% of average, with an inflow of about 62,000 acre-feet of water.

El Vado Dam is being evaluated under Reclamation's Dam Safety Program. It is currently safely holding approximately 9% of the reservoir's capacity, which is 16,300 acre-feet. The dam will be closely monitored as water becomes available to increase storage to about 13% of capacity or 25,200 acre-feet. Efforts to develop and implement a long-term solution for the dam are ongoing.

If monsoon rains do not materialize, there's a possibility Elephant Butte Reservoir could get down to about 2% of its capacity by late August, slightly below levels reached in 2013.

Information from Annual Operating Plans:

• The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District began staggered irrigation operations in March with natural flow of the Rio Grande.
• Irrigation diversions in Colorado began in late March.
• Due to the expected low runoff, lack of water in storage, as well as a minimal supply of water for Reclamation to lease to supplement river flows, there is a strong possibility that some parts of the Rio Grande flowing through Albuquerque could experience some drying this summer along with sections of the river in the Isleta and San Acacia areas.
  • Reclamation is coordinating with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to rescue fish from drying portions of the river and coordinating with partners to use the limited supply of water most effectively.
• Available water storage in Elephant Butte and Caballo Reservoirs for the Rio Grande Project is currently about 293,000 acre-feet and is expected to peak at about 310,000 acre-feet before declining as irrigation releases continue.
  • The irrigation season is scheduled to begin with releases from Elephant Butte Reservoir starting around 8 a.m. on April 29. Releases from Caballo Reservoir are scheduled to begin the first week of June.
  • The dry riverbed below both Elephant Butte and Caballo dams will take on water quickly. As such, these areas will be both unpredictable and dangerous and the public is asked to exercise caution around the river channel. Water levels will fluctuate through the rest of the short irrigation season.
• On the Pecos River, the Carlsbad Irrigation District began releases for irrigation on March 23, and has allocated 2.5 acre-feet per acre.

Those who were not able to attend the Annual Operating Plan meetings can still view the presentation on Reclamation's website at https://www.usbr.gov/uc/DocLibrary/plans.html or contact Upper Colorado Public Affairs at ucbpao@usbr.gov.