Posted on November 11, 2026
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Albuquerque District will host an open house in Santa Rosa, N.M., Nov. 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to share details on the draft revision of the 1977 Santa Rosa Lake Master Plan and introduce the draft of the Two Rivers Dam Master Plan.
The current Master Plan for Santa Rosa Lake, last approved in 1977, needs revision to address changes in regional land use, population, outdoor recreation trends, and USACE management policy.
Upon completion of the Two Rivers Dam, a Master Plan 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 open house will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Blue Hole Convention Center, 1085 Blue Hole Road, Santa Rosa, N.M., 88435. During the open house session, there will be no formal presentation. The public is invited to visit at any point to interact with USACE team members. The open house will cover the proposed changes to the current Master Plans. Team members will share instructions on how to submit comments and provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions and provide feedback. A 30-day public comment period will begin on Nov. 17, 2026, and end on Dec. 18, 2026.
Simultaneously, a virtual option will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Nov. 17, 2026, for those who cannot attend in person. Attendees can access the open house from a Microsoft (MS) Teams Meeting by either using the weblink provided below or dialing in by phone. A presentation will play on a continuous loop during this time and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions or submit questions via the meeting chat through the meeting facilitator. Attendees can enter the MS Teams meeting anytime during the open house.
Microsoft Teams Meeting
Join by Weblink
Join: https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/meet/993403534005?p=zuvMx1I1VBikt4hNV3
Meeting ID: 993 403 534 005
Passcode: ug2wT9i3
Dial in by phone
+1 601-262-2433 (United States, Vicksburg)
Phone conference ID: 688 963 359#
Information provided at the open house, including the draft MP, may be viewed on the Albuquerque District website at the following link beginning Nov. 17, 2026: www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Santa-Rosa-Lake/Master-Plan/
Master Plan Overview
The Master Plan is defined 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” USACE will manage the resources for public use and conservation. Key topics to be discussed in the revised Master Plans 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. The Master Plan revisions will not address the technical and operational aspects of the lake related to flood risk management or the water conservation missions of the project.
Submitting Comments & Reviewing Draft Plans
Comments must be submitted in writing at the open house or digitally via the comment form on the MasterPlan’s webpage: https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Santa-Rosa-Lake/Master-Plan/
Comments received during the virtual opportunity to attend via MS Teams will not be considered formal comments. Comments can be mailed to David Zabriskie, Santa Rosa Lake Manager, P.O. Box 345, Santa Rosa, N.M., 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 on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/albuquerquedistrict
