Conchas Lake levels at highest point since 2019

Because of recent storms, water levels at Conchas Lake have reached their highest point in almost six years.

Franklin McCasland, manager of the Arch Hurley Conservancy District, said in his Nov. 12 report to the district’s board of directors that the lake had risen to an elevation of 4,181.12 feet that morning.

McCasland said the day after the meeting that was the highest water level in the lake since early 2019, when its elevation reached 4,182 feet.

He reported Conchas Lake had received 47,631 acre-feet of inflow this month with just 2,307 acre-feet in evaporation and other losses. The district also diverted 6,268 acre-feet of water into its canals.

According to gauges at the lake, its water level rose nearly 11 feet since Oct. 19.

“The USGS gauge station on the Canadian River near Sanchez, N.M., is reporting a daily flow of 400 (cubic feet per second) to 600 cfs flowing into Conchas Lake,” McCasland wrote in his report.

The high water levels bodes well for the district to issue a sizable water allocation early next spring.

The Arch Hurley board had issued small allocations — if at all — in recent years because of persistent drought.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor Map of Nov. 14, drought conditions have eased in much of the state. Much of northeast New Mexico wasn’t experiencing any dry conditions.

The southern third of the state, however, remained in severe, extreme or exceptional drought conditions.

McCasland also reported the district would close its water program for the season by mid-November. It would issue irrigation water checks back to landowners or operators who still have water credits.

In other business:

— The board submitted its capital-outlay request for the 2025 New Mexico Legislature session. It is requesting $175,000 to purchase a small excavator.

— The board approved an interim 2024 budget to the state Department of Finance and Administration.

— McCasland reported that premiums for health benefits and the state retirement fund would rise substantially next year. He said rate increases for health insurance vary depending on coverage, but generally would be at least 10% higher.