During a recent meeting of the Los Alamos County Board of Public Utilities, significant discussions centered around the ongoing challenges faced by local hydroelectric power generation, particularly at the Elvato and Abiquiu facilities. The meeting highlighted the impact of severe drought conditions on water availability and electricity production, raising concerns for the community's energy future.

The board was informed that the Elvato facility has been experiencing operational difficulties due to low water levels, currently at 68.20 feet mean sea level. This is a notable increase from the previous construction phase, which saw levels at 67.75 feet. However, the ongoing drought has severely limited the hydroelectric power plants' ability to generate electricity, with Elvato producing only about 2 megawatts during peak weekend operations. Abiquiu, another key facility, is currently outputting approximately 1.3 to 1.5 megawatts, depending on water flow managed by the Army Corps of Engineers.

The discussion also revealed that the Bureau of Reclamation is reevaluating plans for the Elvato dam, which has faced setbacks due to unforeseen geological issues. The engineers have returned to the drawing board, indicating that it may take three to six years to finalize a new plan, followed by several more years for implementation. This timeline suggests that while there will not be a complete halt in power generation, the community should prepare for limited production over the next few years.

The board members expressed concerns about the long-term implications of these challenges, particularly in light of the region's ongoing drought, which has resulted in below-average snowpack and reduced runoff. The meeting underscored the importance of water management and the need for strategic planning to ensure reliable energy production in the face of climate variability.

As the community grapples with these issues, the board remains committed to keeping residents informed and engaged in discussions about the future of local energy resources. The next steps will involve monitoring water levels and production capabilities while advocating for necessary infrastructure improvements to enhance resilience against future drought conditions.