Work begins on $8.6M Bosque restoration project in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Utility Water Authority is celebrating a new multi-million-dollar project aimed at restoring wetlands in the South Valley.

“I hope they have a beautiful place to come down to enjoy the river and see how the Bosque is renewed,” said Albuquerque resident Marla Painter.

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Painter has been walking the Bosque for 26 years and is among those excited for a big new project near Second and Rio Bravo. “Today we are marking transition from design into groundbreaking for construction,” said Diane Agnew, Water Rights Program Manager, Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Utility Water Authority

In an $8.6 million project, the water authority is now revamping the area where water is released from its south side treatment plant. Soon, It will be transformed into a natural wetland aimed at restoring 14.5 acres of the Rio Grande. “The cottonwoods will remain, we will take out the invasive species and we will add native species so we will have more natural vegetation,” said Agnew.

The three-phase project, starting next month, will begin with pulling out invasive vegetation. Then crews will bring in heavy equipment to reshape areas around the river. “Where I’m standing there is no way to get down to the river. It drops off as if it’s a cliff. We’re going to slope it as a natural flood plane,” she said.

Along with adding native plants and trees, crews will also add new walking trails for hikers and bicyclists to enjoy the area. They hope to finish the project by spring. “It’s also a great way to enhance community access. The South Valley has different levels of access than other parts of the city. We will be increasing access so the community can come and enjoy this resources,” Agnew said.

The water authority is planning to mulch and reuse any of the vegetation they remove from the project area.

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