SANTA ROSA, N.M., -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, will begin a routine release of water from Santa Rosa Lake and Dam starting Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at 8:00 a.m. Carlsbad Irrigation District and the Bureau of Reclamation requested a 2,000 acre-feet block release. It is expected to last two days, ending Thursday, March 14, 2013.
The District will shut down the release early if conditions impact the reservoir’s fish population. There will also be a lower than normal peak release rate of 650 cubic feet/second to minimize sediment transport.
The current water elevation at Santa Rosa is 4,690 feet; the estimated elevation after the 2,000 acre-feet release will be 4,683 feet. The total drop in elevation will be approximately seven feet.
The boat ramp will remain closed and there will be no impact to other recreation activities.
Santa Rosa Dam is the first major dam along the Pecos River, and its reservoir has a 2,434 square mile contributing drainage area. The reservoir is a main component in the Pecos River Basin comprehensive plan, providing irrigation storage, flood control and sediment retention. Although the reservoir is a Corps' managed lake, the campgrounds and most recreation areas are managed by the New Mexico State Parks Division.
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Release no. 13-001