Santa Fe Watershed Association

Have you ever wondered why the Santa Fe River sometimes has flowing water and other times it doesn't? 🤔

In this week's , Mori explains the bypass constraint, an important part of how water is managed in our watershed. During the hot, dry months, releases from Nichols Reservoir for both Living River flows and acequia deliveries can't exceed the amount of water naturally flowing above McClure Reservoir. In other words, when there's very little water coming down from the upper watershed, there may not be enough natural flow to allow additional water to be released downstream.

Understanding concepts like the bypass constraint helps us better appreciate the delicate balance of managing water for our river, our acequias, and our community. 💧

🐾 Look who we captured on our wildlife camera in the Upper Santa Fe Watershed... a flock of wild turkeys!

Did you know? A group of wild turkeys is called a rafter! Wild turkeys are surprisingly fast runners, reaching speeds of up to 25 miles per hour, and can even fly short distances at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour.

These native birds play an important role in the ecosystem by dispersing seeds and helping control insect populations. Their presence is a sign of healthy habitat and diverse wildlife within our watershed. 🌿💧

Every wildlife sighting reminds us of the incredible species that call the Upper Watershed home.

Have you ever spotted a rafter of wild turkeys in Santa Fe? Let us know in the comments! 👇