2025 Chama Irrigation Season Update

Courtesy of Holly A. Wilkie
NM Office of the State Engineer
Active Water Resource Management (A.W.R.M.)
Upper Chama Water Master
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The average daily flows yesterday at La Puente were 374 CFS. The river has been dropping approximately 16% per day for the last 5 days. At this rate, without precipitation events, we will begin pre-curtailment cuts in the upper Chama approximately April 29 with basin curtailment beginning May 2. There are currently no curtailment-related restrictions in place for the Upper and Lower Chama Basin.

The chart below shows current flows at La Puente in red, flows for the past five years, and flows in 2002 and 2018, which are the two comparable drought years on record.

It is possible that snow accumulation over the weekend will slow the falling La Puente flows and postpone curtailment beyond the dates mentioned above.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me, Lower Chama Water Master Joseph Piña, or Basin Manager Lorraine Garcia with questions or concerns. Joe remains the principle point of contact for the lower basin and I remain the principle point of contact for the upper basin. You may also see our new Water Resource Professional Daniel Martinez in the field or deal with him for basin concern.

Upper Chama: Holly Wilkie [email protected] 505/827-3973
Lower Chama: Joseph Piña [email protected] 505/827-6124
Field Technician: Daniel Martinez [email protected]
Basin Manager: Lorraine Garcia [email protected] 505/827-6155