Latest on flooding issues from Little Bear Fire: 1. New Mexico Homeland Security Director Don Scott met with two regional directors of FEMA today, Ken Davis and Shelia Weston, along with representatives from Alamogordo regarding the destruction of Bonito Lake. 2. FEMA was given more fiscal information which should allow the $2.8 million damage threshold to be met (it was not met in a previous meeting with Alamogordo). Mr. Davis told the group, “We are getting into the realm of reasonability.” 3. The issue of single rain event/monsoon season is still being discussed. Alamogordo has assessed damage at $4 million from June 22 rain event, but current total lake damage is between $14 to 17 million. 4. Mr. Davis said he had prior “heartburn” over how much silt/sediment was already in the lake prior to the fire. Mr. Scott addressed that issue, and said there seemed to be very little sediment beforehand. 5. Mr. Scott said there are 30 square miles of burn area above the lake, and approximately 97 tons of debris per acre expected to make its way into the lake. 6. Pumps are keeping the lake level beneath the spillway in order to control it going down the Rio Bonito at a cost of $20k per week, per pump. There are three pumps currently on line and two more on the way. 7. If uncontrolled water goes over the spillway from a major rain event, it could threaten 2200 homes in the Angus/Hondo area. 8. Mr. Davis and Mrs. Weston said they would review the information provided and have a response to Mr. Scott by Friday.

Lake water filling into Rio Bonito

Water coming down Philadelphia Canyon after a shower

Rio Bonito downstream from the lake

Canyon floods into Rio Bonito

Rio Bonito

Pumps working to drain the lake to control runoff...level is about six feet under spillway

Some of the lake water is being pumped and sent down the road to meet up with the Rio Bonito...they will eventually pipe straight into the creek to avoid erosion.

Lake water running down the road

Shot from the Dam of silt and debris in the lake...all pipelines and release points are clogged underneath and the only way to lower lake level is to pump...each pump costs 20,000 a week...they currently have three but will end up with five by week's end.

Pipes sending water over the dam and into Rio Bonito

This is the lake spillway...water level is about six feet away...

Debris sits on top of the water...sediment underneath would need to be dredged but would require millions of dollars...Alamogordo current estimates are between 14 and 17.

Debris, silt and sediment in Bonito Lake

Banks of the lake looking down from the dam.

Flood waters gathering to head downstream

FEMA representatives meeting with officials with the city of Alamogordo.