Council backs design loan/grant for McClure Dam and advances Canyon Road treatment funding

The City Council approved two separate water‑infrastructure financing items on April 29.

McClure Dam design: Council adopted a loan/grant agreement with the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) authorizing $2.5 million for design of repairs to McClure Dam’s outlet conduit and spillway, including a $1.0 million low‑interest loan component. Water Resources Coordinator Alan Hook said the overall McClure project is expected to cost roughly $40–50 million and that the adopted funding covers most of the design budget (staff estimated design costs of $3–4 million). The ordinance authorizes project design activity and pledges net water‑utility revenues as the repayment source for any loan portion.

Canyon Road Water Treatment Plant: The council also considered a separate NMFA loan/subsidy for construction of flocculation and sedimentation improvements at the Canyon Road Water Treatment Plant — a primary source supplying about half of the city’s potable surface water. Public Utilities Engineer Clinton Peterson said the total project is roughly $22 million; the NMFA package would provide about $17 million in low‑cost financing (with partial principal forgiveness available) alongside other funding sources such as state Water Trust Board support. The council adopted a technical amendment to the draft ordinance to align language with state partners; final action on the corrected ordinance was scheduled to return to council on May 13.

Speakers quoted (first reference): Water Resources Coordinator Alan Hook; Public Utilities Engineer Clinton Peterson.