Tortugas Arroyo Watershed – Site (Dam) 1

Sponsor: Elephant Butte Irrigation District, New Mexico

Current Phase of the Project: Planning Phase

Site 1 in the Tortugas Arroyos Watershed of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, will be included in an NRCS funded watershed rehabilitation partnership project.  Currently starting the planning/NEPA phase, the dam provides protection against flooding to about 2,200 acres of irrigated cropland and New Mexico State University – Main Campus, with a student population of approximately 14,000 and another 1000 who live, study and work downstream.  Additionally, the dam protects two interstate highways, that support travel for many vehicles daily.  Among other critical infrastructure, the dam also protects power lines, water lines, fiber optic cables and the railroad.  Annually the rehabilitation project is expected to provide approximately $80,000 of flood damage reduction benefits.

Public Meeting

• Public Scoping Meeting Recording (Meeting held virtually on December 14, 2021)

• Tortugas Arroyo Response to Public Comments

Agency and Stakeholder Scoping Meeting

• USDA-NRCS and Elephant Butte Irrigation District will hold a virtual Agency/Stakeholder Scoping Meeting on Thursday, January 23, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, providing information on the Rehab Program project specifics, as well as an opportunity to provide input on the study. Letters were sent out providing a link to the virtual meeting.