The recent warm temperatures have accelerated the melting of the winter snowpack and water flows in the Rio Grande have more than doubled in two weeks.
The water flow May 4 on the Rio Grande at Taos Junction Bridge was 1,920 cfs (cubic feet per second), up from just 719 cfs April 20. The flow is well above the average of 1,310 cfs.
The water flows along the Rio Chama, a major tributary to the Rio Grande in Rio Arriba County, have increased to 2,880 cfs at La Puente above El Vado Lake, well above the 1,680 cfs average. The water released from El Vado Lake has been increased from 547 cfs April 21 to 1,750 cfs May 4, while the release May 4 from Abiquiú Lake has increased from 774 cfs to 1,660 cfs.
The snow depth at Hopewell, a snow-depth measuring station for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, was measured at 41 inches April 28 and by May 5 had fallen to 26 inches.
From a press release
May 13 is the last day to apply for a scholarship for the summer program at the Boys and Girls Club del Norte. Scholarship request forms may be picked up at either the Chimayó or the Abiquiú Club.
The five-week summer program begins June 15 and runs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. until July 17. The program is both educational and recreational, and breakfast and lunch are provided.
For more information, call the Chimayó Club at 351-1515 or the Abiquiú Club at 685-4586.