The city will be taking out 130 cfs. When river flows are very low such as during a drought the city says it will stop diverting and rely on ground water. The threshold hasn't been set but could fall around 200 or 300 cfs, Stomp said. Overall, the city's plan to use its San Juan-Chama water offers advantages, he said. For example, Stomp said, the San Juan-Chama water that travels along in the river upstream of Albuquerque helps offset evaporation.
Environmentalists have other concerns beyond the potential reduction of flows.
They worry about how the city will get its water out of the river. One alternative would use an inflatable dam. Another would place collector pipes under the riverbed. A dam would have to incorporate a fish passage structure to make sure minnows don't get trapped downstream. Rio Grande Restoration has hired former Interstate Stream Commission engineer Bill Miller to review the city's work.