Santa Fe River Restoration, New Mexico

Urban development caused poor water quality, a falling water table, and erosion in the Sante Fe River. The city and county of Santa Fe and the Santa Fe Watershed Association are integrating river restoration with green infrastructure projects and public recreation opportunities to improve water quality, riverine habitat and mitigate flood risk. The City of Santa Fe created the Santa Fe River Park to improve recreational opportunities along the river, stabilize river banks with native plantings, and store and filter stormwater. The county is also grading and contouring the river’s channel to prevent erosion.