Tijeras Creek Watershed Restoration Project
Tijeras Creek Watershed Restoration Project
The ecological health of the Tijeras Creek watershed is directly related to the ecological health of the larger Rio Grande watershed. Unfortunately, the Tijeras Creek watershed is negatively impacted by many factors including erosion, streambed incision and floodplain disconnection, non-native vegetation such as Siberian elm, degraded water quality, and unauthorized trails.
In July of 2023, Bernalillo County Natural Resource Services and Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District (Ciudad SWCD) was awarded a River Stewardship grant from the New Mexico Environment Department to restore a section of the Tijeras Creek and its floodplain on a county-owned 12-acre parcel between Los Vecinos Community Center and A. Montoya Elementary School in the Village of Tijeras. Restoration efforts will be taking place between October 2023 through June of 2025.
To fulfill project goals, TCWRP partners will:
· Conduct vegetation monitoring before and after invasive species removal.
· Remove invasive plants along Tijeras Creek and replant with native species.
· Restore Tijeras Creek streambed and connection with the floodplain.
· Use natural materials to create structures to slow stormwater and improve water quality.
Private Property Restoration Efforts Adjacent to the Public Property
The Tijeras Creek streambed was unintentionally realigned many years ago by a holding pond breach from the nearby cement plant and mine. Consequently, segments of the creek now cross private properties adjacent to the 12-acre public parcel. NMED River Stewardship grant funds cannot be used to implement floodplain and streambed restoration on the private properties included in the restoration plan footprint.
For this Tijeras Creek Watershed Restoration project to be fully successful, the restoration activities above will need implementation on the private property surrounding the 12-acre public parcel. Ciudad SWCD has been awarded a grant from the Soil & Water Conservation Commission to allow restoration practices to be implemented on privately owned properties. These services will be provided at no cost to the landowners who are adjacent from the project!
Private landowners who are adjacent to the Tijeras Creek Watershed Restoration project and who are interested in participating , should fill out the form below application. Please note completing the form does not obligate the landowner to any of the services. Upon receipt, Ciudad SWCD staff will reach out to discuss details with property owners.
For additional information about restoration on private lands, please reach out to us at:
Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District
Orlando Romero, Watershed Conservation Manager
Ciudad.ocromero@gmail.com or (505) 738-4851
Astrid Mooney, District Manager
Ciudad.ahueglin@gmail.com or (505) 510-DIRT (3478)