Wildfires are increasing in frequency, size, and severity. Fire directly impacts the land, the watershed, and water quality downstream. Rivers are more than a resource for human communities - they are vital to forests, plants, soil, and many species.

The 2022 Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire, New Mexico’s largest wildfire in recorded history, significantly impacted Las Vegas, Mora, and the surrounding communities in San Miguel and Mora counties. It severely burned the nearby forests and drastically changed the Gallinas, Mora, and Sapello watersheds and the ecosystems that depend on these rivers.

Soil scorched by fire, known as hydrophobic soil, yields loose sediment and ash and repels water. Rainwater washes this excess sediment and ash into the rivers, eventually dispersing far downstream from the site of the initial wildfire. The excess sediment and ash in the water can be measured as turbidity. Turbidity is measured by shining light through water and measuring how much light is scattered to gauge its murkiness. Clear water indicates low turbidity, whereas cloudy water with debris indicates high turbidity. High turbidity results in lower amounts of sunlight, affecting plants that produce oxygen and impacting aquatic species.

The Gallinas River, which provides drinking water to the city of Las Vegas, became highly turbid and contaminated after the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire. At one point, Las Vegas had only 20 days left of drinking water, prompting water restrictions. Through collective conservation, communities came together and reduced their water usage significantly, extending their dwindling water supply while waiting for a long-term treatment system.

Wildfire & Watersheds: Interwoven Futures displays turbid water with sediment and wildfire ash, washing over a map of the Gallinas, Mora, and Sapello watersheds. These watersheds illustrate the confluence of not only water, but the species, communities, and forests that are all interrelated.