Newly-restored Los Alamos Canyon Reservoir. Photo Courtesy LAC
Newly-restored Los Alamos Canyon Reservoir. Photo Courtesy LAC
After a great deal of time and effort, the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and its project partners will be celebrating the newly restored Los Alamos Canyon Reservoir at an onsite grand reopening event on Wednesday, October 9, at 10:30 a.m.
In 2021, the DPU secured a River Stewardship Program grant, sponsored by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), to fund a project to restore the Los Alamos Canyon watershed, both upstream and downstream of the Los Alamos Canyon Reservoir. The area had previously washed out multiple times in large rain storms.
Through this recently completed project, the watershed was restored and stabilized using bioengineering techniques that incorporated natural materials and processes to help the watershed heal itself. This effort resulted in an improved access road and protection for the pipeline and electric conduit between West Road and the reservoir. Furthermore, the watershed flow regime was reconstructed and the reservoir was dredged.
Clearance for the project, planning and permitting involved coordination among several agencies: DPU, Los Alamos County, NMED, U.S. Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Energy, Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM State Historical Preservation Office and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Additional funding for this project was provided by the DPU and Los Alamos County. Site work was completed by contractor Keystone Restorative Ecology.
The public is welcome to attend the grand reopening event and is encouraged to hike to the Los Alamos Canyon Reservoir from the trailhead at the Los Alamos Ice Rink. Those who wish to attend but who are unable to hike may meet at the ice rink parking lot at 10:00 a.m. to ride there in a large van. Seating will be limited and not guaranteed.