SW New Mexico News

New Mexico State University is considering the next steps to restore and rebuild its Alumni Pond, which was closed last August after a significant water loss over a short period.

NMSU engaged Molzen Corbin, a national engineering firm based in New Mexico with expertise in water resource engineering, to evaluate the pond. The completed report was provided to NMSU in December 2023.

The report notes that the pond, created in the 1970s, is approximately one acre in size, 12 feet deep at maximum, and has a volume of 2.2 million gallons. At the time of closure, the pond had lost about 750,000 gallons of water in three days—around one-third of its capacity. The pond’s liner is more than 45 years old and needs complete replacement.

With the pond drained, Facilities and Services staff determined that supporting structures for the pedestrian bridge would benefit from preventative maintenance, which can only occur while the pond is drained. Importantly, the bridge remains safe for use. The estimated cost for this project ranges between $1 million to $1.2 million.

“Looking back, it is clear NMSU made the correct decision to close the pond and avoid an otherwise unabated loss of water on an ongoing basis,” said Chris Kinsley, interim vice president of administration and finance. “Additionally, we’re pleased with our collaborative efforts with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish in relocating the ducks, turtles and fish from the pond.”

Kinsley added that expert study concluded and recommended a complete rebuild of Alumni Pond so that "the NMSU community can enjoy ducks and fishing for decades to come."

University leaders are currently evaluating funding options and assessing alumni and community support levels for restoring Alumni Pond. The level of available funding will dictate how quickly restoration can proceed.