Kirtland celebrates collaboration with AMAFCA on flood control, Gibson Gate reroute

  • Published
  • By Jessie Perkins
  • 377th Air Base Wing
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE --  

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Louisiana Gibson Regional Drainage Facility at Kirtland June 19, 2019.

AMAFCA completed the project that was jointly funded by the Air Force, AMAFCA and the City of Albuquerque. The $2,520,000 project was designed for two major functions:  a regional storm water detention facility and a realignment to the Gibson Gate.  

Jerry Lovato of AMAFCA said that the project “was a great opportunity for AMAFCA and the City of Albuquerque to work with KAFB on a project that will ultimately reduce [flooding]; affecting approximately 600 lots.”  

The project was a unique one for AMAFCA as it was done on federal property in under 24 months which was fast for a project of this size, according to Lovato.

“We were also given the opportunity by the base to re-design an entrance...it was a win-win.” said Lovato.

Kirtland Commander Col. Richard Gibbs said he was honored to celebrate the successful collaboration and partnership between Kirtland and AMAFCA.

“This project exemplifies what Kirtland has been trying to do with reaching out and partnering with our local communities and was a great opportunity for us … we share where we live work and play with the folks just outside our gate and we’re proud to be a part of your community,” said Gibbs

The facility was built on 41 acres leased by AMAFCA and will reduce peak flows leaving Kirtland from approximately 900 cubic feet per second down to 10. A future detention pond is planned for the eastern Alvarado area in addition to this project.  

The realignment of Gibson was needed to better control inadvertent approaches to the Gibson Gate on KAFB. The realignment addressed national security and safety issues. In addition, the modification to the Gibson/Louisiana intersection allows the intersection to operate safer and more efficiently, according to a press release by AMAFCA.

Bruce Thompson, district five director of AMAFCA said that a project of this type had been proposed over thirty years ago and that this was the first of many projects that will affect water flow all the way to the San Mateo and 1-40 area.