WATER AFTER WILDFIRES – ONE YEAR POST-2022 HERMITS PEAK/CALF CANYON FIRE

Wildfires can have short- and long-term impacts on the health of a watershed. The loss of vegetation, abundance of charred materials, and destabilization of hillsides can increase stream sedimentation and impact water quality. The 2022 Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon (HP/CC) fire was the largest and most destructive forest fire in New Mexico’s history. The region’s multi-year drought conditions, unprecedented spring winds, and persistent red flag warning days – conditions ideal for wildland fire combustion and rapid spread – contributed to the > 340,000 burn acreage, transforming the biotic and sociocultural environment of northern New Mexico and its watersheds whose services are so critical to lives and livelihoods. This presentation compares and contrasts the impacts of the HP/CC fire on two of its watersheds – the Headwaters Pecos Watershed (HPW) and Headwaters Gallinas Watershed (HGW). Both are sub-watersheds of the Upper Pecos Watershed and hold high-quality cold-water designations. Both sustain rich farming and ranching traditions, provide exceptional recreational opportunities, and support diverse ecological values. The HGW provides drinking water to the City of Las Vegas (population 13,000). Approximately 115,542 acres burned in the HGW, 21% of which were classified by the USFS Burned Area Emergency Response team as high burn severity while approximately 34% of the 40,150 acres burned in the HPW were classified as high burn severity. Post-fire monitoring of the HPW (NMHU bi-weekly in-the-field sonde) and HGW (USGS gaging station 08380500) shows pH, dissolved oxygen, and specific conductance meet high-quality cold-water standards. However, turbidity in the HPW exceeded 10 NTU for the entirety of Summer 2022 and multiple days in Summer 2023. Turbidity in the HGW exceeded 10 NTU for 219 of 338 days of record and exceeded 50 NTU for 63 days. Temperature in both watersheds exceeded 26°C for 3 days in July 2023 and continues to increase. Ongoing water quality monitoring will continue to inform post-fire watershed restoration efforts. New water resources projects will be discussed that aim to increase surface-ground water availability, diversify the water supply portfolio, and build resilient water resources services. Emphasis will be placed on how geoscience program engagement in water resources challenges builds skills, develops relationships, and supports outcomes.