Heavy rains washed out sections of the main ditch that supplies the Ortega, Las Mesilla and Garcia. The damage probably can not be repaired before October, which would mean that the irrigation season is finished for the year. Both flushes at the diversion are also inoperatable and the concrete liner is filled with sand. Commissioners from the Cinco Acequias plan to meet this Friday to assess the damage and come up with a plan.
Also, this Thursday, September 4th, there will be an meeting in Chimayo to push for an emergency declaration. The meeting is at the Senior Center at 6:00.
The Cinco Acequias have some capital outlay funds which perhaps can be put toward repairs. Pouring new sections of concrete to replace those broken and then patched earlier in the season was already planned. Now the project is much larger.