Santa Fe City/County Preparing To Shut Down Diversion From Rio Grande; Not Enough Water In River
The Rio Grande’s water levels are expected to dip low enough to force a temporary shutdown of the Buckman Direct Diversion for the first time in its 10-year history. A weak snowpack and light monsoon have failed to dent the yearslong drought that is now depleting the Rio Grande, from which the Buckman operation diverts and treats water for the Santa Fe area.
Since it opened in January 2011, the diversion has never had to shut down due to critically low river levels, but the trend is pointing to having to suspend operations sometime before October, said Rick Carpenter, the Buckman facilities manager. “I think probably we will,” Carpenter said. “But nobody knows. We’re all just making our educated assumptions about how we’re going to manage the river.”
The city of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County jointly own the Buckman Direct Diversion. Las Campanas, an upscale subdivision, is a limited partner. The diversion would be closed for two to eight weeks, Carpenter said.
That wouldn’t be a problem because the area has ample alternative sources, he said. More water could be drawn from the area’s wells, which became strained when they were the main water supply but have recharged since the Buckman Direct Diversion came online, Carpenter said. The city has eight wells along the Santa Fe River and 13 wells in the Buckman Well Field near the diversion, Carpenter said. And if necessary, the city’s Canyon Road Treatment Plant can pull more water from the Nichols and McClure reservoirs.
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https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/low-water-levels-may-temporarily-shut-buckman-diversion-on-rio-grande/article_071df790-dbe5-11ea-975b-5f4e713e0dbf.html