ALBUQUERQUE BERNALILLO COUNTY
WATER UTILITY AUTHORITY
BILL NO. R-25-14
RESOLUTION
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Authorizing the Executive Director to Enter into an Agreement with the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) for the Exchange of San Juan-Chama Project (SJCP) Water
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WHEREAS, the MRGCD has an annual allocation of 20,900 acre-feet of SJCP surface water under its contract with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation); and
WHEREAS, more consistent release of MRGCD SJCP water into the Middle Rio Grande benefits farmers and maintains consistent river flows at the Central Avenue stream flow gage in the Rio Grande through the duration of MRGCD SJCP releases from Abiquiu Reservoir; and
WHEREAS, more consistent flows in the Rio Grande help promote better utilization of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority’s (Water Authority) SJCP allocations for service to its customers; and
WHEREAS, Reclamation quantifies the monthly SJCP surface water in Heron Reservoir to be distributed to the Water Authority and MRGCD on the 1st of each month in the proportion of contracted water and based on available water for allocation, and effectuates delivery of that amount to each, respectively, on the 15th of each month; and
WHEREAS, Reclamation maintains an accounting model (URGWOM) that tracks daily releases and transfers of water in Heron Reservoir, which will be utilized by the Water Authority and MRGCD to track the quantify of water exchanged between the two parties; and
WHEREAS, MRGCD anticipates needing early access to its May 15, 2025 Heron delivery in order to promote consistent and efficient water releases and enhance operational flexibility in response to hydrologic conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Water Authority has SJCP surface water stored in Heron Reservoir that has not yet been released to Abiquiu Reservoir, stored under waiver with Reclamation, that can be made available for MRGCD through exchange in advance and in anticipation of MRGCD’s May 2025 Heron Delivery to advance mutual goals; now
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE WATER AUTHORITY
SECTION 1. The Executive Director is authorized to enter an Agreement whereby the Water Authority provides an advance of MRGCD’s May 2025 Heron Delivery through a one-to-one exchange, to be paid on or before June 15, 2025, in Heron Reservoir in order to promote consistent and efficient water releases in the Middle Rio Grande and to advance mutual goal.