River runs past, but water isn’t for New Mexico

CABALLO, NM – Rio Grande water released from Caballo Dam over the weekend has flowed 125 miles across Southern New Mexico, bound for irrigation in far west Texas and northern Mexico.

In order to send water down, federal officials with the Bureau of Reclamation opened the gates at Caballo. On Saturday, the water roared out at 2,000 cubic feet per second, splashing up white founts stretching along the valley below the dam, and flushing unlucky fish out with it. 

The river crept its way through the streambed, above and below, swallowing isolated pools of groundwater.

But the water release is not for New Mexico farmers – yet. 

The water passed Las Cruces early Saturday afternoon and farmers in Texas said the Rio Grande was hitting Country Club Road, a state line divide. Texas Irrigation officials said they anticipate the first deliveries to farmers by the end of the week.

“We will pressurize the entire system, divert to Mexico [March] 13th, flush out debris, and start deliveries on March 14th or 15th,” said Jay Ornelas, the manager of El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1.

Mexico will receive deliveries on Wednesday, officials with the International Boundary and Water Commission told Source New Mexico.

In years – more often, decades back – irrigation water deliveries started in March and April. For Texas, Ornelas said the district plans a full allocation of four-acre feet will go to pecan orchards, potential cotton and other crops.

El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1, often shortened to EP No.1, is expecting to parcel out four acre-feet this year to members.

“I want to say it’s been at least 4 to 5 years now, in 2019 was the last time there was a four acre-foot allocation,” said Jay Ornelas, the manager of the district.

Much of that is “carryover” water held in Elephant Butte, which are defined as unused portions from prior diversions.

“Hopefully we’ll have as good a snowpack as we did last year and we can finish off this season run efficiently and carry over a significant amount and have some of that runoff come in and put us at a good amount to be able to start early next year as well,” Ornelas said.

Officials with Elephant Butte Irrigation District, a quasi-government agency which manages irrigation for Sierra and Doña Ana counties, is starting presentations this week for its own irrigation season.

The district hasn’t issued its public schedule yet, said Gary Esslinger, the district manager, in a phone call Friday, but plans to at a Wednesday, March 13 meeting.

“At that meeting there will be presentations of the forecast, the allocation, the allotment, and then the announcements of when we should have growers meetings,” Esslinger said.

On Monday, families flocked to La Llorona park as the sun dipped low. Dog walkers and cyclists passed by lit barbecue grills, as families picnicked and children played. The rush of the river accompanied their laughter.