General Information
The Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Albuquerque District, is revising the John Martin Reservoir Master Plan. The Master Plan is intended to serve as a comprehensive land and recreational management plan with a life span of 25 years. It guides the stewardship of natural and cultural resources and the provision of outdoor recreation facilities and opportunities to ensure sustainability of federal land associated with John Martin Reservoir.
About John Martin Reservoir
Construction of the John Martin Dam and Reservoir began in August 1940, but work was suspended in the spring of 1943 due to World War II. Construction resumed in the spring of 1946 and the project was completed in October 1948. The dam was built for the purposes of flood control and irrigation.
The current Master Plan for John Martin Reservoir was finalized in November 1974 and is in need of revision to address changes in regional land use, population, outdoor recreation trends, and USACE management policy. Key topics to be addressed in the revised Master Plan include: revised land classifications, new natural and recreational resource management objectives, recreation facility needs and special topics such as invasive species management, and threatened and endangered species habitat. Public participation and feedback is critical to the successful revision of the Master Plan.
Facts about John Martin Reservoir
Construction of John Martin Dam was initiated in 1940 and was completed for flood control and irrigation in 1948.
The reservoir has a capacity of 603,500 acre-feet with 261,000 acre-feet for flood storage.
The dam is a concrete gravity structure with a spillway of 1,174 feet and 16 tainter gates, each weighing 73 tons.
What is a Master Plan?
The Master Plan is the strategic land use management document that guides the comprehensive management and development of all project recreational, natural, and cultural resources throughout the life of the water resources project.
Why Revise the John Martin Reservoir Master Plan?
The current Master Plan for John Martin Reservoir was completed in 1974 and is in need of revision to address changes in regional land use, population, outdoor recreation trends and USACE management policy. Key topics to be addressed in the revised Master Plan include revised land classifications, new natural and recreational resource management objectives, recreation facility needs and special topics such as invasive species management and threatened and endangered species habitat. Public participation is critical to the successful revision of the Master Plan.
