Year in review: Steps taken to secure water

From completing the first phase of the Ute Water Project to efforts of purchasing water rights from local farmers, this year Clovis made major steps in trying to secure water for the city’s future.

Ute Water Project

The $550 million Ute Water Project will pipe water from Ute Lake to communities in Curry and Roosevelt counties. The Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority oversees the pipeline project.

In March, the ENMWUA board announced it had secured $2.3 million in federal funds, hailing it as a large step forward and as affirming Congress’ support for the project.

In August, a federal court of appeals in Denver gave the green light to completing construction of the intake station at Ute Lake Reservoir, the beginning of the project. It was opposed by groups who see Ute Lake as primarily a recreational area. The justices said stopping construction of the intake would cause irreparable harm to the project that communities are depending on as a future source of drinking water.

In November, after months of searching, the ENMWUA board announced it entered negotiations with a Colorado public works director for the authority’s executive director position. He later withdrew his name from consideration and the search continued despite opposition from some Clovis leaders who said the position was not necessary.

In December, officials announced they are nearing completion of the Ute Lake water intake station, the first major phase of the project.

Aquifer

preservation

Curry and Roosevelt County communities draw water from the Ogallala Aquifer, which is used heavily for irrigation purposes in the area.

In July, the Clovis city commission approved a $1.86 million contract for the city’s purchase of water rights from farmer J.L. Wall. The 930 acres are located adjacent to Cannon Air Force Base.

In October, the New Mexico Ogallala Preservation and Conservation Initiative filed an application for $20 million in federal funds to help keep the aquifer from being drained. The application noted the aquifer “is projected to cease to be a viable source of irrigation water within the next 10 to15 years if the current rate of withdrawal continues.”

Clovis Mayor David Lansford said the plan is to use the cash over a five-year period to pay selected farmers not to irrigate, allowing the aquifer to recharge.