​Urgent River Restoration Project Underway in Lower Rio Chama

July 2024 - Silt and sand are dumped onto the bank by the amphibious excavator, blocking off water running into nearby farms ~ Image Courtesy of Erik Roithmayr

By Carol Bondy with help from AI

​Maggie Fitzgerald Public Information Officer, Office of the State Engineer | Interstate Stream Commission State of New Mexico shared the following with the Abiquiu News regarding the ongoing work on the Rio Chama Channel in Medanales

Medanales, NM – A permit was issued November 20th for a critical river restoration project. Work has commenced in the lower Rio Chama near Medanales to address the severe reduction in channel capacity caused by the June 2024 flood and subsequent monsoon events. The project, undertaken by the NM Interstate Commission aims to restore the river’s ability to handle significant water flows and mitigate future flood risks. This work is a continuation of the emergency response to the June 20, 2024, flood event and subsequent precipitation events that left significant amounts of sediment in the lower Rio Chama near Medanales.  The channel capacity in this reach of the river should be 1800 cfs, but the summer’s monsoon activity has reduced channel capacity to approximately 150 cfs.

Our scope of work includes 2 phases and will include the reach of the river between the Hwy233 bridge and the Chili diversion.

Project Scope and Timeline:

Phase 1: Excavation of a pilot channel to accommodate up to 575 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water flow.

Phase 2: Expansion of the channel to handle up to 1700 cfs, the target capacity for the reach.
The project is being executed by a seasoned NMISC contractor with a proven track record in New Mexico. Our contractor has been in the area and ready to work since early November. A permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers, is required before work can start work in the river. That permit was just issued on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 20, and now work can begin immediately.

Phase 1 is expected to be completed by mid-December, and Phase 2 is anticipated to be finished before the spring runoff in 2025.

Impact on Local Residents:
To expedite the project, the contractor will work from dawn to dusk, Monday through Saturday, until completion. A brief pause is planned between Christmas and New Year's Day. Residents in the area may experience noise disturbances from airboats and other equipment during construction.

Sediment Management and Future Flood Protection:
Sediment removed from the river channel will be placed on the river's edge and adjacent properties, as outlined in the regulatory compliance permit. During Phase 2, these sediment piles will be graded and shaped to minimize erosion and enhance flood protection for nearby properties. Additionally, the contractor will rehabilitate drainage from arroyos and other return structures.

The timely completion of this critical river restoration project is essential to safeguard the community from future flood events and ensure the long-term health of the Rio Chama ecosystem.