River Cross-Vanes
In 2018 the City of Farmington completed the construction of five CROSS VANES over a run of 4,700 linear feet on the Animas River in Berg and Animas Parks. A cross vane is made up of a set of upstream angled boulders which concentrate flows down the center of the river channel and away from the banks. The scouring of the center of the channel during high flows creates a deep elongated pool. Low flow gravel bars are added along the river, which are then planted with native willows to stabilize them. The low flow channels within the river are deepened between the cross vane structures. The advantages of these features include bank stabilization, deepened channels, improved fish habitat, and enhanced whitewater rafting experience. The visual and auditory experience of water falling over boulders also increases the aesthetics of the river.
This ”Rock Garden” project was first proposed in 2004 by members of the River Reach Foundation Board of Directors. In 2012 the River Reach Foundation hired Riverbend Engineering, at the cost of $7,500, to study the river, create an engineering design, and develop construction contract documents for the project. After the design was created it was submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers for approval, which was received in 2014. Funding sources were not available at the time.
In 2014, Governor Susana Martinez and the New Mexico Environmental Department created River Stewardship Funds to improve surface water and stream habitat. The City applied unsuccessfully for these funds, but the Gold King Mine Spill in 2015 created enough leverage that a subsequent application was approved. The project design was updated, the Corps of Engineers permit was successfully resubmitted, and the project went out for bid in the fall of 2017. The project cost just under $200,000 and required almost 300 boulders, 3-5 feet in length and 1-3 feet in thickness.
More Enhancement Projects
Four Corners National Water Trails Project
The River Reach Foundation has recently been asked to study the feasibility of acquiring a National Water Trail (NWT) designation on portions of the Animas and San Juan Rivers here in the Four Corners. The National Water Trails System was recently established as a...
Among the Waters Trail
The Among the Waters River Trail begins at Bisti Highway and continues about one mile to Murray Drive/Highway 64. The first third of the trail runs south along the San Juan River until it pivots northeast at the confluence and continues along the Animas River. This...
Four Corners Materials Land Donation
In early 2018, Four Corners Materials, a division of Oldcastle Materials, has donated 40 acres to the City of Farmington for use as “green space and waterfront recreation.” The property that was formerly a rock pit, is located off of Navajo 36 near Northern Edge...
Penny Lane Dam Construction
Penny Lane Dam is located on the Animas River just east of Farmington Lake. This low head dam was constructed in 1984 to pump water from the Animas to Lake Farmington. The dam had the unintended consequence of stopping fish from travelling upstream as well as creating...
Centennial Trail
The Centennial Trail is named to coincide with the dedication in 2012 with the one hundred years of New Mexico Statehood. This trail development was one, if not the most difficult, to complete due to the many various owners of land along the river corridor. Several...
River of Fountains
The River of Fountains is a large interactive spray pad, located at Berg Park and is available to the public at no cost. Click the image below to see its location on Google Maps.More Enhancement ProjectsPROTECTPROMOTEENHANCEGET INVOLVEDRiver Reach Foundation · P.O....
Rocky Reach Rapids
In February of 2012 the City of Farmington and the River Reach Foundation worked together to repair the Rocky Reach Rapid. The purpose of the structure was to ensure irrigation flow to Willett’s Ditch and create a hydraulic wave feature for kayakers and boaters. The...
Eagle Scout Tree Planting
Fifty cottonwood trees were transplanted from Farmington Lake to Berg Park as a project for the Eagle Scouts.More Enhancement ProjectsPROTECTPROMOTEENHANCEGET INVOLVEDRiver Reach Foundation · P.O. Box 2056 · Farmington, NM 87499-2056 · 505.716.4405 · ...
Previous Land Grants & Easements
The areas known today as Animas, Berg, and Boyd Parks would not be the recreational asset to the community it is today if not for the land grants and easements from the following families. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Walter and Winifred Berg — 12.66 acres — 1966...
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River Reach Foundation · P.O. Box 2056 · Farmington, NM 87499-2056 · 505.716.4405 · river.reach.foundation@outlook.com