Posted on December 8, 2025
ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), is revising the Santa Rosa Lake and Two River Dam Master Plans (MP). The USACE defines the MP as the strategic land use management document that guides the comprehensive management and development of all recreational, natural, and cultural resources throughout the life of the water resource development project. It defines “how” it will manage the resources for public use and resource conservation. The current MP for Santa Rosa Lake, last approved in 1977, needs revision to address changes in regional land use, population, outdoor recreation trends, and the USACE management policy.
Upon completion of the Two Rivers Dam, a MP was not developed for the Project. Changes in outdoor recreation trends, regional land use, population, current legislative requirements, and USACE management policy have occurred over the past decades. Additionally, increasing fragmentation of wildlife habitat, national policies related to land management, and growing demand for recreational access and protection of natural resources are all factors affecting Two Rivers Dam and the region in general. In response to these continually evolving trends, USACE has determined that the development of a Master Plan is required.
The public is invited to view information found at the following website: www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Santa-Rosa-Lake/Master-Plan/
The website contains a brief presentation describing the revision process, a copy of the current master plan, maps of the current land classifications, and instructions for submitting comments to USACE for each of the lakes. The public involvement process will be conducted online for the initial scoping. An in-person open house will be held for the draft release of the documents (anticipated August 2026) with another comment period for the draft release.
Key topics to be discussed in the revised MP include revised land use classifications, new natural and recreational resource management objectives, recreation facility needs, and special issues such as invasive species management and threatened and endangered species habitat. A 45-day public comment period will begin December 18, 2025, and end February 1, 2026. The public can send comments, suggestions, and concerns during this time. Public participation is critical to the successful revision of the MP.
Comments can be submitted in writing, mailed to Martina Suazo, Operations Project Manager, P.O. Box 345, Santa Rosa, NM 88435-0345, or via email to: SantaRosa@usace.army.mil
About the Albuquerque District: The Albuquerque District covers all of New Mexico, about a third of Colorado, and one-fifth of Texas. Visit the Albuquerque District Web site at: http://www.spa.usace.army.mil and Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/albuquerquedistrict
