No water allocated despite rumors

Contrary to rumors, the Arch Hurley Conservancy District board last week did not allocate water for the upcoming spring season.

A water allocation wasn’t even on the board’s agenda for its regular Feb. 13 meeting.

Board member Larry Perkins said he’d received three phone calls from people hearing the board would allocate water during the meeting. He surmised it was a misunderstanding regarding a photo on social media of the district replacing a radial gate.

Last summer, the district allocated water to farmers through its canals for the first time in more than three years.

District manager Franklin McCasland reported Conchas Lake received 1,076 acre-feet of water in January, with 1,033 acre-feet of evaporation and other losses, representing virtually no change during the month.

The lake’s elevation the day of the meeting was 4,172 feet — nine feet higher than a year ago but only slightly higher than the previous month.

The board typically is not comfortable allocating water until Conchas Lake reaches a level of 4,174 feet.

McCasland said snowpack in the mountains of northern New Mexico is normal so far this winter, but it typically makes only a minimal effect on the lake’s level.

In other business:

— Several of the district’s machines have experienced mechanical problems, according to McCasland’s report.

A long-reach excavator remains out of service due to a throttle control issue. A technician was scheduled to arrive to diagnose the problem.

Oil seals on a mini-excavator failed, necessitating a rebuild of the drive. Another mini-excavator has a persistent overheating problem and will be taken to a Clovis mechanic for testing.

— McCasland said the district closed out the 2023 water run and has issued checks to formers with water credits on the books.

— McCasland said the district has received quotes to repair roofs on the office building and three homes. Work should begin in the spring.

— Builders Trust, the district’s workers compensation provider, will audit the district.

— Board President Robert Lopez said he spoke to staff of U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-Las Vegas) about possible amendments to the farm bill.

— District office manager Theresa Lafferty said she has been moving the district’s investments to short-term certificates of deposit because they have higher interest rates than long-term CDs.