Flooding after Little Bear fire causes damage

Approval by Ruidoso village councilors of a sub-grant agreement with the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for $88,379 is aimed at installation of a temporary water filtering system in the duck pond leading into Alto Reservoir. Village Community Development Director Bobby Rose explained to the council that a severe period of storms from June 22 to July 12, after the Little Bear Fire, caused flooding and washed debris into roads, lakes and the duck pond, which is part of the village's water supply system. "The village has accepted bids for a water filtration to make water in the duck pond able to be transferred to Alto Reservoir for treatment of safe drinking water," she wrote in a memorandum. "This is a temporary measure to filter the water until it meets the required treatable standards for drinking water. This option is desirable, as it allows the duck pond to be placed back into operation and to refill Alto Lake."...more