By Jesse Jones
The Corrales Siphon project, crucial for water delivery in the Middle Rio Grande Valley, has faced delays and legal hurdles with ongoing negotiations between the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD), Sandia Pueblo and the Bureau of Indian Affairs holding up progress.
At the March 4 Village Council meeting, Jason Casuga, Chief Engineer/CEO of the MRGCD, delivered disappointing news about the delayed project. The project remains stalled due to an easement dispute with Sandia Pueblo.
Casuga said the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) instructed MRGCD to negotiate directly with Sandia Pueblo. The district offered a right-of-way, but the Pueblo countered with a demand for both land and infrastructure. MRGCD rejected the counteroffer and submitted a revised proposal. The district is still awaiting a response despite offering mediation to speed up the process.
Water Conditions and Project Impact
The siphon delay worsens an already difficult water year for the district and the region. According to Casuga, the March water forecast for the Rio Chama-Upper Rio Grande river flow was downgraded from 51% of normal to just 36%, the lowest he has seen in his career.
Casuga warned that it would be a challenging year for agriculture in the valley, including Corrales, and stressed that rainfall would be crucial to thrive. However, he said that even if it rains further north, he may be unable to divert the water if the river stage doesn’t rise enough to operate the pumps.
The district also cannot store native water this year due to New Mexico’s status under the Rio Grande Compact, though it has storage agreements with the Bureau of Reclamation and Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Authority (ABCWUA).
The Bureau of Reclamation’s slow rehabilitation of El Vado Dam further complicates matters. In the meantime, the district secured alternative storage at Abiquiu through ABCWUA, though it only partially meets the region’s water needs.
The design, funding and delays
The siphon project aims to replace a nearly 90-year-old wood stave pipe, which has sustained significant damage, including missing sections, with a 36-inch steel pipe. Prompted by a 2021 sinkhole near Siphon Beach, the project is critical to prevent further water damage.
In November 2023, MRGCD secured $8.5 million from the Water Trust Board to fund the project. Despite this funding, which includes a $700,000 loan and a $1.5 million match, the delay in the right-of-way process is jeopardizing the timeline. The district hoped to go out to bid by August, with construction starting by March 2026.
The project will use horizontal directional boring to install a 1,200-foot pipe 40 to 50 feet below the riverbed, with an aim to minimize the environmental impact.
Sandia Pueblo allowed the district to conduct geotechnical borings on its land before the halt. Chaves said testing was completed and MRGCD finished about 90% of the planning and design.
Challenges
At the Sept. 24 Corrales Village Council meeting, Sandia Pueblo Gov. Felix Chaves updated Corraleños on the Corrales siphon project, outlining the pueblo’s perspective and next steps.
“We don’t necessarily have to speak to the farmers in your community, but out of respect to the Village of Corrales, the mayor and your City Council, we’re here to present our position this evening,†Chaves said.
In September 2023, the BIA halted work on the siphon, citing MRGCD’s lack of a federally approved right-of-way beneath the river. According to Casuga, the district has documents supporting its claim but believes the BIA overlooked them.