District may allocate water as soon as January

The manager of the Arch Hurley Conservancy District last week said he would consider a tentative water allocation in January because of the highest levels at Conchas Lake in years.

Robert Evans attended the Dec. 10 board of directors meeting and asked whether it could allocate water that month so he and other farmers could make plans for the spring growing season.

Larry Perkins, serving as chairman for the absent Robert Lopez, said the board probably would allocate water in February.

District manager Franklin McCasland said the board might allocate water in January, then adjust it in February depending on the lake’s levels. He said he would look at the data before making any recommendations on water amounts.

McCasland reported the water level at Conchas Lake that morning was 4,183.5 feet — more than 11 feet higher than at the same time a year ago.

The lake’s level, which has risen about 13 feet since mid-October due to big storm systems, still was rising, according to its gauges. That was the highest the lake has been in more than six years.

McCasland stated in his manager’s report that the lake received 19,132 acre-feet of inflow in November. Evaporation and other losses during the month were 1,380 acre-feet.

“The snow melt and rain showers in the Canadian River basin has continued to help the water inflow into Conchas Lake through all of November,” his report stated.

“Every day, the inflow has been really good,” McCasland said during the meeting. “It’s helping us look good for next year.”

Board members said the district once made winter allocations of water, but the last was more than 20 years ago due to persistent drought in the region.

The U.S. Drought Monitor map through Dec. 3 showed all of northeast New Mexico in no drought conditions. Dry conditions continued to persist, however, along much of the Rio Grande Valley and the southern third of New Mexico.

In other business:

— McCasland reported the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has scheduled its inspection of the district’s tunnels for Jan. 13-17. Board members doubted that would occur because of water still in the canals. The bureau has repeatedly delayed the inspections.

— The board reviewed a three-year audit contract with Scott Northam CPA of Ruidoso. The board has the option of renewing or extending the contract if it likes the firm’s work.

— In routine year-end business, the board approved its annual notice of public meetings and its 2025 holiday schedule. It also approved its hourly rates for custom work.

— The district will host its employee and board safety dinner at 6 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Quay County Fairgrounds.