28 • OCTOBER 2016
www.desertexposure.com
100 YEARS OF WATER CONTROL • WILLIAM DOOLEY
Elephant Butte Dam Ce
Three-weekend birthday party O
n Oct. 19, Elephant Butte Dam in southern New Mexico will be celebrating a century of service. To commemorate this historic occasion Lago Rico, Inc. and The Elephant Butte Dam Site Historic District are hosting a celebration from Oct. 7-23. Elephant Butte Dam was authorized in 1905 as part of the Rio Grande Project, one of the earliest projects of the U.S. Reclamation Service (now the Bureau of Reclamation). Located in Sierra County, Elephant Butte Dam today provides irrigation waters to both the United States and Mexico as well as providing flood control and producing almost 4.5 million kilowatt hours of clean, hydro-electric electricity every year. The dam created Elephant Butte Lake, New Mexico’s largest body of water and a popular outdoor recreation centers. The construction of the dam began in earnest in 1911. However, the supporting infrastructure was being put into place as early as 1908. Construction on the earliest structure, the water tank, began in August of that year. The water tank still stands today as a silent guardian of guests of the Elephant Butte Dam Site Historic District. The Historic District, located South and East of the Dam, is the location of the community that sprang up as construction began. The community, referred to as the Dam Site, was a thriving town of more than 3,000 residents. Today, the Historic District brings thousands of visitors every year to stay in the historic lodgings, hike the many trails, picnic among the intricate stone lined garden terraces, use the facilities of the state’s largest marina, fish, camp and enjoy the many wonderful recreation opportunities at adjacent Elephant Butte Lake State Park. The state park, created in 1964, is New Mexico’s largest State Park. Revenues from the park make up about 25 percent of the department’s annual income. Hundreds of thousands of guests enjoy the area each year. The Saturday closest to the Fourth of July draws a crowd that makes the park New Mexico’s third largest city. Many buildings from both the dam construction era (early 1900s) and the Civilian Conservation Corps era (1930s) still stand, including the C.C.C. built tourist cabins located along the old railroad bed used during Dam construction. The highlight of the Historic District is the administration building. Now restored and converted into an eight room inn, the building contains many original fixtures including the safe, pursers’ cage and hardwood floors. Historic photos and Southwestern art line the hallways. Plans are in place to restore the boathouse complex near the administration building into a museum and retail area. At the time of its completion, Elephant Butte Dam was the second largest dam in the world, surpassed only by Egypt’s Aswan (now Lower Aswan) Dam. The dam required 621,550 barrels of cement as well as the construction of a spillway and embankment structure. The Elephant Butte Dam embankment structure is widely recognized as one of the last major American engineering efforts to rely solely on manpower and mules. The Elephant Butte Dam and The Historic District are in the National Register of Historic Places. The Dam itself is also a National Civil Engineering Landmark. The area is an active pa-
Fri Octo
world together to study and create in this seleontological site with several different species of rene setting. dinosaurs and mammals having been discovered. Far from being an old man, the Elephant Most recently, a group of gentlemen digging a bachButte Dam enters its second century elor party fire pit on a remote beach discovered the 5-1 alive and kicking, still the centerpiece remains of a stegomastodon. A smaller relative of Light Up the Nigh of a growing, thriving community. mastodons and mammoths, stegomastodon roamed hatchery and illum Information on the Centennial the area before the last Ice Age. Rio Grande and th Celebration can be found at www. The dam and the water it provides are primary luminarias and LED facebook.com/buttecentennial/, by economic sources for the communities of the Southwill be vendors, foo calling 575-894-2041 or emailing butern Rio Grande area. Tourism and agriculture are tainment. Lago Ric tecenntennialinfo@gmail. the predominant industries. The lake is just one of selling light-up toys com. many outdoor recreation opportunities in rural Sidancers from aroun erra County. Mountain Biking, hiking and exploring are being invited to the unique geology of the area along with a growing and help lead th Arts scene has made the area a favorite retreat for tourists in the know. fun on the danc Diverse agricultural products such as New Mexcost $5 or a ico pecans, balsamic vinegar, cotton, organic vegetables and of course the world famous Hatch 8 a.m. -7 p.m. Valley chile make the area a must for anyone Damsite Book Festival takes place at the Damwith an appreciation of good, wholesome, local site Restaurant Patio and in the Winding Roads products. area. This event provides local and regional The many ghost towns juxtaposed with the authors with the opportunity to sell and sign Spaceport America complex make the area books and interact with guests. There will also a truly unique vacation destination. The dam be a used book market. Throughout the day, site Winter Arts Colony, located speakers will present talks on various subjects at the Historic District from October through including the space industry in New MexiMarch, brings both co, local treasure hunting and more. This accomplished event will be family appropriate and and student is free although donations will be artists from appreciated. all over the 6 – 9 p.m.
Saturday, October 8
Friday, October 7
Author Dinner at the Damsite Restaurant Patio offers a traditional meal of smoked brisket and all the trimmings. The evening features various authors/ historians in a moderated discussion about the history of Elephant Butte Dam. Tickets are $35 and are available in advance or at the event.
Centennial Events
All events can be found at the Elephant Butte Dam Site Historic District.