Culebra Watershed Vallejos Ditch Headgate Replacement

Category: Irrigation Infrastructure
Organization: Sangre de Cristo Acequia Association
Date Approved: March 2013
Basin Funds: $10,000
State Funds: $90,000

This project replaced the Vallejos Ditch headgate, built in 1965, which feeds water from Vallejos Creek into both a north and south lateral. The concrete structure had deteriorated, with the walls cracked and crumbling, causing leakage, and nearly inoperable gates. In high flows the headgate failed to divert excess water, causing flooding of the neighboring residential areas. The new structure has a simplified design, eliminating higher construction costs and reducing maintenance while allowing both laterals to more efficiently take water.