WBP

Tijeras Creek Watershed Collaborative
Watershed-Based Planning

Upper Tijeras Creek Watershed Based Plan

The Upper Tijeras Creek Watershed Based Plan (WBP) addresses nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) impairment of the water in Tijeras Creek. The WBP follows EPA guidance that and will includes approaches measures to address probable possible sources of impairment, methods of restoring the watershed, costs, schedules, and monitoring plans.

Samples collected by the New Mexico Environment Department have shown nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in Tijeras Creek that exceeded water quality standards. Bernalillo County also collects samples every 2 months in dry weather and when precipitation events are large enough to cause stormwater flow. The County sampling shows occasional exceedances of standards during dry weather and higher levels of impairment when the creek is flowing after a heavy rain during stormwater events. Probable sources of impairment nitrogen and phosphorus include channelization, drought-related impacts, natural sources, fire and post-fire flooding, on-site treatment systems (septic systems and similar decentralized systems), domestic animals (horses, chickens, etc.), urban runoff/storm sewers/ highway outfalls, and wastes from pets.

The focus of the plan is to identify restoration projects that will help to improve water quality and to ensure the watershed is resilient and adaptable to climate change. to forest fire and post-fire flooding that contributes to water quality degradation. Restoration projects include forest thinning to mitigate catastrophic fire impacts, erosion control, channel and bank stabilization to mitigate erosion in the upper watershed stormwater impacts, green infrastructure to mitigate urban runoff, control of erosion from road drainage culverts, restoration of steam channels, streambanks, and riparian areas, invasive species treatmentremoval, and mitigation of impacts from septic tanks and pet waste.

An important goal in developing the WBP is to mitigate climate change impacts and foster climate resilience in the watershed. Expected climate change impacts in the watershed include higher temperatures and evaporation rates and extended drought periods leading to higher wildfire risk, decreased snowpack, and increasing extreme precipitation events that cause flooding and post-wildfire debris flows.

For more information on the Upper Tijeras Creek WBP, or to participate in TCWC meetings or landowner programs that will help to restore the watershed, please contact Sean Ludden at ciudadprogams@gmail.com

Upper Tijeras Creek Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (2004)

Completed in June 2004 by Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District, the Watershed Restoration Action Strategy (WRAS) for the Upper Tijeras Creek Watershed is a comprehensive planning document with a focus on restoring and protecting the health of waters in this subwatershed and positively impacting water quality within the Albuquerque reach of the middle Rio Grande. The WRAS is required as guidance for restoration and nonpoint source pollution control projects in this watershed that are funded through the Clean Water Act Section 319 (h) program.

The WRAS contains the following components:

• • A description of the Upper Tijeras Creek Watershed.

  • The public outreach structure and methods that will be used to engage and maintain public involvement including local, state, and federal governments and NGOs.

  • Monitoring and evaluation activities based on water quality and other goals and outcomes needed to refine the problems or assess progress towards achieving these goals.

  • The specific water quality problems to be addressed, the sources of pollution, and the relative contribution of sources.

  • A blueprint of the actions to be taken and desired water quality, natural resources, socioeconomic and other goals and outcomes, i.e., implementation of pollution control and natural resource restoration measures.

  • A schedule for implementation of restoration measures and identification of appropriate lead agencies or cooperators to oversee implementation, maintenance, monitoring and evaluation.

  • Funding needs to support the implementation and maintenance of restoration measures.

Cedro Creek Wetlands Action Plan (2004)

Also in mid-2004, the New Mexico Environment Department Surface Water Quality Bureau, in collaboration with the Quivira Coalition, prepared the Cedro Creek Wetlands Action Plan. Cedro Creek is an important tributary to Tijeras Creek, and considerable restoration efforts have been made since 2008 on a number of reaches in the watershed by stakeholders and volunteers including the Quivira Coalition, the New Mexico Environment Department, the United States Forest Service, the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation, the Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District, the New Mexico Riparian Council, and numerous teachers and students from local area schools. The combined effort facilitated not only the improvement of 17 acres of

wetland, and riparian wetland habitat, but included 1,286 volunteer hours, and educated 50 participants

in two separate outreach seminars. Future revisions of the Upper Tijeras Creek WRAS will integrate elements of the Cedro Creek WAP.

Bernalillo County Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Master Plan (2015)

The Tijeras Creek watershed is an integral part of master planning for the Los Vecinos-Carnue Neighborhood Community Area by the Bernalillo County Community Services Division. The draft Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan (2015-2030) envisions a Carnue-Tijeras Regional Trail Network, located within both the North 14 NCA and Los Vecinos-Carnue NCA. The Los Vecinos Community Center, directly north of the Tijeras Creek Remediation Project, will be a key trail head and destination point of that network. The alignment is further described in the East Mountain Trails and Bikeways Master Plan and the 2014 UNM Carnue Trail Planning Study. Watershed restoration efforts will be informed by the PROS Master Plan, which in turn provides local support for restoration activities within the Tijeras Creek Watershed.