The Santa Fe Watershed Association: protecting our river, our water, our future

Established in 1999, the Santa Fe Watershed Association works to return the Santa Fe River to a living river, from Lake Peak to the Rio Grande, balancing human uses with natural resource protection within the Santa Fe River watershed.

The Santa Fe area faces the ongoing danger of catastrophic fire in our overgrown upper watershed, above the City drinking supply reservoirs. Management of the forests that safeguard the reservoirs has been an important theme for the Watershed Association, but in the past few years we have given new attention to the middle and lower stretches of the river. In particular, we are advocating restoration of consistent flow to the river to support vegetation and wildlife habitat, while recharging the groundwater. We are striving to create a sense of responsibility and common interest among all residents of the watershed.  Additionally, our education programs have provided opportunities for locals to experience the Santa Fe River and its watershed through both school and public programs.  Programs are designed to highlight a variety of ecosystems and explore ways that humans impact water and water impacts humans.