Temporary closures to Rio Chama access downstream of Abiquiu Dam due to habitat improvement project will begin Jan. 13, 2020.

Published Jan. 10, 2020

ABIQUIU LAKE, N.M. Access to the Rio Chama directly downstream of Abiquiu Dam, including the Rio Chama day use area, will see temporary closures beginning Jan. 13, 2020, due to construction activities.

Closures will affect road access to the Rio Chama from Abiquiu Dam downstream approximately two miles. The closures are necessary to ensure public safety and reduce conflicts associated with the in-stream work. Fishing downstream of the closed sections should be unaffected by the construction.

The project is led by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and is expected to be completed during March, 2020. Overall channel capacity and flow will not be affected to facilitate water delivery to downstream users.

This project is intended to improve overwintering habitat for wild trout at low flows, provide holding cover for stocked trout, and improve habitat at all flows for the native fish species such as Rio Grande chub.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will work with the Carson National Forest, Santa Fe National Forest, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Land Office, Trout Unlimited, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to improve aquatic habitat along these two miles of the Rio Chama.

For more information please call the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at 1-888-248-6866 or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Abiquiu Dam Project Office at 505-685-4371.

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Contact
Michael Graff
505-342-3349
justin.m.graff@usace.army.mil

Release no. 20-001