The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI) will host the 2024 Animas and San Juan Watersheds Conference, themed “Water Without Borders- Four Corners, Three Rivers,” on June 12-13 at the San Juan College Henderson Fine Arts Center in Farmington, New Mexico. The event will also be accessible online via Zoom.
The annual conference, which NM WRRI has offered free-of-charge for the past three years, aims to keep local communities, researchers, students, public agencies, and private companies informed about the latest developments in water and natural resources science, management, and monitoring projects within the Animas and San Juan River watersheds. The general public is encouraged to attend to learn more about these water resources.
The day-and-a-half technical program includes a poster session on June 12. Presentations will cover various topics such as restoration, water quality monitoring, abandoned mine lands, water recreation, water infrastructure, and local agriculture and food systems. NM WRRI expects around 200 participants to join both in-person and virtually.
In addition to the technical sessions on June 12-13, registrants can sign up for free field trips scheduled before and after the conference on June 11 and June 14. These trips will provide insights into water management infrastructure on both the Animas and San Juan Rivers. Participants will visit components of the Animas-La Plata Project around Durango, Colorado, followed by a trip to observe operations at Navajo Dam. On June 14, attendees can tour the water treatment plant installed below the outlet of Gold King Mine following the August 2015 spill event to treat metals-contaminated water still flowing from the mine. Transportation and lunch will be provided for both field trips.
To register or view the full agenda free of charge, visit https://cvent.me/BoLwV5. For questions, contact Mark Sheely at msheely@nmsu.edu or call 575-646-1195.
This conference is made possible with guidance from a planning committee consisting of local agencies, scientists, and stakeholders throughout the watersheds. Support comes from the WIIN Act and continues activities outlined in the Gold King Mine Water Spill Long Term Monitoring Plan.
PHOTO CAPTION: Participants during the 2023 Animas and San Juan Watersheds Conference. This year’s conference will take place June 12-13.
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Photo collage of people participating in a conference.
