Water Resources Professional Project Reports

Document Type

Technical Report

Publication Date

10-23-2012

Abstract

In New Mexico, riverine wetlands are generally associated with riparian areas found in the floodplains or once floodplains, of the Rio Grande and associated tributaries. Riverine wetlands are supported with water provided by over bank flow from the river, connection to the shallow groundwater, and/or acequia systems. Wetland and riparian areas are impacted by land uses, hydromodification and other activities that occur within a watershed. Wetland and riparian areas play an important role within a watershed by providing many beneficial environmental functions. This paper examines watershed issues affecting the quality of remaining wetland and riparian resources in the valley and proposes a strategy for managing these resources within a watershed context for the Alcalde/Velarde valley located in the Upper Rio Grande Watershed in Northern New Mexico. The Alcalde/Velarde valley community may provide a unique opportunity to protect existing wetland and riparian areas, and to restore degraded or former wetland and riparian areas that have been lost to development and channelization, and to reinstate the functions that wetland and riparian areas once served in this river valley.

Language (ISO)

English

Keywords

Wetland management--New Mexico--Rio Arriba County., Riparian areas--New Mexico--Rio Arriba County--Management.

Comments

A professional project report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Water Resources, Water Resources Program, University of New Mexico.

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