UPPER RIO PENASCO WATERSHED – SITES (DAMS) 1, 2, & 3A

Sponsor: Otero Soil and Water Conservation District
Current Phase of the Project: Planning Phase

The Upper Rio Penasco Sites 1, 2, and 3A each include earthen dams constructed between 1959 and 1960 named Bear Creek Dam, Curtis Canyon Dam, and Graveyard Canyon Dam, respectively. Located in Otero County, New Mexico, the original purpose of the three dams was to provide flood protection for the Upper Penasco Watershed. The original project, of which the dams were a component, was needed to reduce floodwater damage, sediment damage, and erosion damage. The structures were designed as dry dams and do not permanently hold water. The dams were originally classified as low hazard potential; however, because of downstream development, the dams have been reclassified as high hazard potential. In 2023, NRCS completed rehabilitation assessments for each of the three Sites. The assessment for each site concluded that the dams do not meet the flood protection objective and are not in compliance with either Federal or State dam safety standards for high hazard potential dams. 

The purpose of the Upper Rio Penasco Sites 1, 2, and 3A Supplemental Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment is to address dam safety and performance deficiencies for each dam to maintain flood protection and reduction in sediment deposition for downstream residents, agricultural lands, and civil infrastructure.

Public Meeting

USDA-NRCS and Otero Soil and Water Conservation District will hold an in-person Public Scoping Meeting on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, starting at 6:30 PM, providing information on the Rehab Program and project specifics, as well as an opportunity to provide input on the study. The meeting will take place at the Mayhill Community Center in Mayhill, New Mexico (15 Civic Center Dr, Mayhill, NM 88339). For those who cannot attend in person, a virtual option will be provided. Written public comments will be collected during the meeting. For those who cannot attend the scoping meeting, written comments may also be submitted via email to Merceidez.Fabok@usda.gov or by mailing comments to USDA NRCS New Mexico, Attention Merceidez Fabok, 100 Sun Avenue Northeast, Suite 602, Albuquerque, NM 87109-3434. Please note that all comments must be postmarked by Thursday, February 27^th, 2025, to be considered. Details about the Public Scoping Meeting can be found below:

In-Person Public Scoping Meeting

Mayhill Community Center

15 Civic Center Drive

Mayhill, New Mexico 88339

Virtual Public Scoping Meeting

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87934943843

Meeting ID: 879 3494 3843

Phone #: 1-719-359-4580

Agency and Stakeholder Scoping Meeting

USDA-NRCS and Otero Soil and Water Conservation District will hold a virtual Agency/Stakeholder Scoping Meeting on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, providing information on the Rehab Program and each dam site specifics, as well as an opportunity to provide input on the study. Letters were sent out providing a link to the virtual meeting.