New Mexico Sailing Club

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The latest news on the water situation at Heron Lake

Good morning. We recently received the April runoff forecast from the National Resources Conservation Service and I wanted to provide you an update of expected conditions for Heron. Numbers earlier in the year looked ok, but they nose dived with the April forecast.

Expected runoff for the Blanco and Navajo Diversions of San Juan basin water into Heron dropped from 72% to 56% and 54%, respectively. This reduced our prediction for inflow into Heron to about what we got last year, somewhere between 45,000 and 50,000 ac-ft (a full project supply is 96,200 ac-ft).

This is also the first year in the Project's history where we have not had enough water in storage on January 1st to meet that year's full Project allocation of 96,200 ac-ft. We therefore will be completing allocations for 2013 with some of the runoff we receive in 2013.

What this means for Heron Lake is that you all may see lake levels similar to 2002. Some of the water currently in Heron will be used to meet flow requirements for endangered species on the Rio Grande, so Heron storage is likely to slowly decline until August/September. Then, Albuquerque and Santa Fe will begin to move their 2012 and possibly 2013 allocations, and later the MRGCD will move their 2013 allocation.

Currently, Heron storage is at about 135,780 ac-ft, an elevation of 7127.29 ft. Based on what we expect for 2013 (movement of water out of Heron for contractors as well as leased water for endangered species, inflow, and evaporation), Heron may end the year at between 40,000 to 50,000 ac-ft of storage, or an elevation between 7077.5 and 7086 ft. This assumes that Albuquerque will move their 2013 allocation from Heron to Abiquiu Lake this year, which may not be the case. If they choose to wait to move their water in 2014, this will increase end of year storage to the range of 88,000 to 98,000 ac-ft and an elevation between 7109 and 7113 ft.

I'd also like to invite you to attend our joint presentation with the Army Corps of Engineers of the Middle Rio Grande Annual Operating Plan on Wednesday April 17th at 2pm at Reclamation's office at 555 Broadway NE.

Let me know if you have other questions,

Carolyn Donnelly

Water Operations Supervisor

Hello Sailors

Due to low water, marina on the ground and no ramp access, the NMSC Heron Lake marina will remain closed until further notice.

I'm encouraged that so many folks have signed up despite the grim water outlook; we need to provide an outlet to see what folks would like to do, i.e. go to Navajo, Cochiti, E.B., other, etc. in order to keep sailing our priority.

I welcome your ideas and suggestions regarding a get-together, even if just to make sure we're all still here!

Stan

Good morning, Sailors!

The 2013 sailing season is just about upon us. We would all be more excited for the start of the season if it were not for the water situation which, unfortunately, is not looking good at this point. Several board members are following the situation closely and will provide a detailed report as the situation becomes more clear.

Regardless of the water situation, we believe that it is extremely important that we keep the club going to preserve not only our friendships and camaraderie, but also the cohesion of the club during a difficult time. One of the most important ways to do that is to participate in our traditional social events. I think everyone would agree that last year was an outstanding year for the club activities, thanks to the hard work of the Grays and others. At the Labor Day Chili Cook off, it was suggested, and well received, that volunteers from each of the docks each take up the planning and organizing responsibilitlies of one event each which, thus far, hasn't happened. We would like to ask again that instead of docks perhaps we could get volunteers from different geographical areas to organize events. Kellie and I, for instance, have suggested that we could do another chili cook off for Labor Day at the lake if there's water, or in the case of no water, perhaps in Albuquerque as a joint event with the Duke City Model Yacht Club at Tingly Beach. Similarly, we would like to have members in Santa Fe, Los Alamos and points north organize the Memorial Day event, and maybe other members in Albuquerque and points south organize the 4th of July event. Sharon and Doug Gray have graciously offered to plan the Christmas party again this year so that is covered. Thanks guys! Ed Knop has also offered to help with one of the events.

For the benefit of the club, please consider offering your time and talents so we can still enjoy a sailing season among friends and fellow sailors.

Please contact me or any other member of the board so we can get the planning under way.

Cheers!

Eric Griego
NMSC
Heron State Park Advisory Board Member
(505) 296-6892

Greetings fellow sailors.

As you can see from the photo, the marina is currently un-usable and remains closed. Water is going out of the lake at approximately 1.5 inches a week. There are updated membership forms under the documents tab to reserve your slip for the season. Because of the uncertainty of the water situation, there are two options. The no water but reserve your slip option and the regular slip fee option. At this time, please use the no water option. The board will be evaluating the water situation and will notify club members if there is a sailing season.

Photo is courtesy of Marc Hempel.

The New Mexico Sailing Club is a private sailing club and marina located at Heron Lake, NM. The purpose of the club is to promote sailing, sailboat racing, cruising, seamanship, sportsmanship, water safety, environmental awareness, and camaraderie. All club activities are undertaken with due respect to preserving the natural environment.

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