09/11/2026
The following Animas River ditch rotation update shared on behalf of the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer & Interstate Stream Commission:
ANIMAS RIVER ROTATION UPDATE – FOURTH ROTATION BEGINS SEPTEMBER 12
Flows throughout the Animas River remain extremely low. Current USGS gage readings are approximately 25.6 cfs at Silverton, 119 cfs above Tacoma, 153 cfs at Durango, and 101 cfs near Cedar Hill. Silverton reached a seasonal low of approximately 24.2 cfs yesterday, Durango is again near its seasonal low, and flows at several locations continue to decline. The Cedar Hill flow remains well below the approximately 150 cfs threshold used for initiating rotations.
With no significant runoff currently moving through the system, the fourth rotation will begin at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, September 12. At that time:
• Group 4 may resume diverting.
• Group 1 should cease diverting and begin its scheduled three-day OFF period.
Rain is forecast in the high country beginning as early as Sunday and continuing into next week. Cooler temperatures and possible local precipitation may also help reduce irrigation demand. Although it is too early to determine how much these conditions will improve river flows, OSE is hopeful that this fourth round will be the final rotation needed to complete the irrigation season. OSE will continue monitoring conditions and will reevaluate whether any additional rotation is necessary.
During this natural shortage, please remain mindful of irrigators and other water users near the lower ends of the ditches by:
• Diverting only the amount of water needed for active irrigation;
• Closing lateral valves when water is not being used and reducing or shutting off flow into open laterals to match active irrigation demand; and
• Postponing the filling of ponds until after irrigation season. Where irrigation water must pass through a pond, please limit the flow to the amount needed for active irrigation.
Please also continue to support and cooperate with ditch riders. They have faced extremely challenging conditions while working to divert and distribute the limited water available.
OSE sincerely thanks the ditch riders, water users, municipalities, and everyone participating in the rotation. This cooperative effort has demonstrated the ability of New Mexico water users to work together and share the limited supply during an exceptionally severe natural shortage on the Animas River.
All other operating conditions outlined in the July 8 rotation notice remain in effect.
