WINNERS
El Rio Grande
In times of drought (and steady growth), the so-called Rio Grande sometimes looks more like the Rio Chiquito. But not this year. According to the good ol’ Otowi gauge, the official spot that measures the southbound flow of the Rio Grande north of Santa Fe, water was rushing past the gauge at a clip of 1,500 cubic feet per second on March 23. Compare that to barely 700 cubic feet per second on Feb. 23. Meanwhile, the state engineer is predicting the highest runoff levels in 30 years to the upper and middle Rio Grande.
San Ysidro Park
Willows and trees are on the way. And not a crusty, crumbling river bank too soon. The Santa Fe Watershed Association and City Hall teamed up on March 22 to plant 2,000 willows along the Santa Fe River. The project is good news for the south side of San Ysidro Park, which runs along the river and is now home to most of the lil’ saplings. The watershed association was just doing its think-globally-act-locally part to celebrate the United Nations-designated World Water Day. Thank you very much Ban Ki-moon!
Eldorado water
Known by locals as the Eldorado Water Company, but officially known as the Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District, the EAWSD’s March 1 board of directors’ open seat is creating a bona fide stir. That is, four candidates are actively vying for the seat. Compare that kind of community interest with the anemic number of candidates who ran for seats on the Santa Fe City Councilâ€"seven candidates for four seatsâ€"earlier this month. Seems like Eldorado’s water is in closely watched hands.
LOSERS
Contaminated water
According to the City of Santa Fe, recent results from an ongoing two-year study of microbial raw water quality in the upper Santa Fe River indicate a “very low levelâ€? of a scary parasite named cryptosporidium that is particularly happy when it works its way into human (and animal) intestines. Does that make you feel good about that glass of water you’re drinking? The conclusion of a recent Associated Press five-month investigation is even harder to swallow: 41 million Americansâ€"in 24 major metro areasâ€"are drinking water contaminated with a range of 56 different pharmaceuticals.
Buckman Direct Diversion
Do you know what the Buckman Direct Diversion is? The BDD? If you answered, “Oh, that’s the project to get river water for city and county consumers (and Las Campanas in a separate deal) so we don’t run out of well water,� you get a gold star. But according to Joe Augburg, water planning guru and Santa Fe County District 5 commissioner candidate, that’s not the whole story. He’s telling anyone who will listen that the recent federal go-ahead for the project is flawed and won’t stand up in court.
Ice fishing
According to Bill Dunn of the New Mexico Game and Fish Department, fishing in northern New Mexico lakes, rivers and streams was pretty slow in nearly all spots as of March 20. But it’s downright pathetic, Dunn notes, for the ice anglers among us. Ice fishing in the spring, you ask? It happens. But the ice at Eagle Nest, Heron, Alice and Maloya lakes is getting awfully thin these days. Better luck next year.
