EBTAG Annual Workshop and Field Trip
May 16-17, 2012

¹Buckman Direct Diversion Project, 341 Caja Del Rio Rd, Santa Fe, NM, 87506, ebschwender@santafenm.gov

When the Las Conchas Fire started on June 26^th, 2011, no-one could envision the extensive effects this fire would have on the entire region. While most efforts concentrated on the immediate impacts on air quality and safety of life and structures, personnel of the BDD shifted their focus on water quality of the Rio Grande.

Approximately 80% of the Santa Clara watershed, 30% of the Guaje watershed, and 50% of the Upper Los Alamos watershed experienced moderate to high severity burns. Due to this high percentage of moderate to high burn severity areas in those watersheds, it was anticipated that those regions would experience greater stormwater run-off volumes and velocities as well as flooding during and after rain events. Additionally, stormwater run-off from these burned watersheds were expected to carry high ash concentrations.

The BDD Project diverts water from the Rio Grande, which is under the direct influence of the above mentioned watersheds. With the first signs of impacted water quality of the Rio Grande at the BDD diversion structure, the BDD ceased all diversions. During the following 30 days the BDD developed very conservative and proactive raw water monitoring and diversion protocols to protect the public water supply. The BDD’s proactive approach included extensive stormwater water sampling to determine the impact of stormwater run-off from the various watersheds on the overall water quality of the Rio Grande at the BDD diversion structure, as well as increased finished drinking water monitoring, and strict Rio Grande diversion shut-down protocols.

As a brand new water treatment plant during its start-up year the BDD Project was challenged by several unexpected situations, such as the Las Conchas Fire and the continuing drought experienced throughout the region; yet, due to its built-in design redundancies and experienced and knowledgeable operations staff, has lived up to everyone’s expectations.