Nichols Dam Project: Progress and Updates

The City of Santa Fe Water Division recently marked important milestones in the Nichols Dam Rehabilitation Project, a critical initiative for strengthening the city's water infrastructure.

Project Milestones

On November 6, a ceremony was held at Nichols Dam to recognize the completion of major dam safety and operational milestones. Although the ceremony was not open to the public, it highlighted significant progress in enhancing the reliability and long-term performance of the dam.

Project Status and Timeline

The project is now approximately 90 percent complete, with final integration and punch list work scheduled for completion this winter, ahead of the spring runoff. The project has remained on schedule and within budget.

Design began in 2019, and the construction cost is nearly $20 million. The total project cost, including design and engineering services, is close to $24 million.

Funding and Partnerships

The City received funding support from the New Mexico Water Trust Board and the New Mexico Environment Department. Additional funding and technical support were provided by the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, Dam Safety Bureau, which played an important role in the project's success.

Construction was performed by C.F. Padilla, a New Mexico-based contractor with a proven track record in dam construction and rehabilitation.

Watch the Ceremony

Click here to watch a video of the November 6 ceremony on YouTube, where project partners and City officials highlighted these key achievements.