Technical standards, studies, models, and public references for Albuquerque’s drainage, stormwater, erosion-control, and municipal storm-sewer systems.
Hydrology and Development Review#
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AHYMO-S4-R2 Hydrologic Model User’s Manual (2018)
Documents Albuquerque’s official arid-lands hydrologic modeling software, including watershed inputs, rainfall, infiltration, routing, detention facilities, sediment, output interpretation, examples, and procedures used in local drainage analysis and development review.
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AHYMO Application Note: NOAA Atlas 14 Rainfall Distributions (2011 Archived PDF)
Explains how Albuquerque’s AHYMO hydrologic model applies NOAA Atlas 14 rainfall distributions and adjusts older software inputs for accurate urban-stormwater peak-flow calculations. Official City PDF
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Drainage Pond Slope Stabilization and Seeding Requirements (2022 Archived PDF)
Establishes City interim requirements for stabilizing and seeding subdivision drainage ponds, controlling erosion, reducing maintenance, using native plants and aggregate, and documenting erosion-control plan compliance. Official City PDF
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Preserves the 2015 City drainage chapter governing grading, floodplains, erosion control, stormwater pollution prevention, detention, drainage reports, facilities, and development-review obligations before the later manual revision. Development Process placement · Official City PDF
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DPM Executive Committee Minutes, 2016 (ABQInfo Historical Compilation, Archived PDF)
The annual record traces Chapter 22’s section-by-section review and approval, including drainage and erosion control, plus stormwater-modeling discussions; individual two-page minutes remain preserved inside the compilation.
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DPM Executive Committee Minutes, 2017 (ABQInfo Historical Compilation, Archived PDF)
The annual record completes Chapter 22 and Chapter 18 approvals while preserving all fifteen meeting records as one navigable sequence; the original PDFs remain separately archived with exact provenance.
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City of Albuquerque Construction Site Manual (2018)
Sets illustrated inspection standards for construction-site sediment and erosion controls, vehicle tracking, inlet protection, channels, housekeeping, washout, debris, street cuts, curb work, stabilization, and maintenance of required best practices.
Official City development-review document library · Official City PDF
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Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Standard Notes (2026 Archived PDF)
Sets the City’s 2026 standard erosion and sediment control plan notes for construction BMPs, inspections, stabilization, ownership transfers, off-site support areas, right-of-way work, professional certification, and stormwater controls near major drainage facilities.
Official City PDF · Official City Development Review Services Directory
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NMDOT Green Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance Manual (2024 Archived PDF)
Provides field-ready inspection and maintenance guidance for stormwater-harvesting basins and bioswales, addressing infiltration, sediment, erosion, vegetation, mulch, irrigation, roadway sight lines, worker safety, seasonal scheduling, remediation, and standardized checklists.
Official NMDOT PDF · Current NMDOT Research and Climate Bureau
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Fleet Storage Yard Candelaria Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (May 2021 Archived PDF)
Sets City controls for stormwater from the Candelaria fleet storage yard, documenting industrial activities, pollutants, drainage to the Rio Grande, impaired-water monitoring, inspections, spill response, and corrective actions.
Watershed Plans#
Upper Piedras Marcadas Watershed Drainage and Water Quality Management Plan#
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Volume 1 - Literature Review (2017)
Reconstructs the Upper Piedras Marcadas watershed’s drainage-planning history through 32 prior plans, as-builts, subdivision reports, sector plans, storm-drain projects, basin studies, maps, agreements, and design records dating from 1983 through 2014. Official project resources
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Volume 2 - Existing Conditions (2017)
Documents existing hydrology, drainage infrastructure, land use, rainfall-runoff modeling, discharge paths, detention constraints, water quality, field conditions, and downstream capacity across the Upper Piedras Marcadas watershed, updated in 2017. Official project resources
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Volume 3 - Developed Conditions (2017)
Models developed watershed conditions and compares drainage alternatives, hydraulic capacity, costs, low-impact development and water-quality measures, funding options, basin maps, design plates, calculations, and recommended improvements for Upper Piedras Marcadas. Official project resources
Tijeras Creek Watershed Restoration#
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Tijeras Creek Watershed Restoration Project
Documents the County’s restoration of Tijeras Creek and its floodplain near Los Vecinos Community Center and A. Montoya Elementary School, using nature-based solutions to reduce flood risk, restore native habitat, and improve downstream water quality.
Deferred Watershed Project Record#
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Preserves the County’s current status notice and project history for proposed sediment-capture ponds, drainage infrastructure, and water-quality improvements. Bernalillo County says the project was deferred indefinitely following resident concerns and a funding deadline.
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Public Meeting Presentation (August 2024 Archived PDF)
Presents the proposed Upper La Cueva watershed improvements, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, sediment-capture ponds, Signal storm drain, design process, construction impacts, water-quality benefits, resilience objectives, schedule, and project contacts.
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Primrose Pointe HOA Presentation (September 2024 Archived PDF)
Expands the Upper La Cueva proposal with Primrose Pointe pond plans and visual renderings, arroyo views, drainage analysis, construction-impact measures, sediment and water-quality benefits, schedule, and project contacts.
County project contact: Jennifer Flor, 505-350-7833, [email protected]
Historical City Capital Plans#
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2011 Storm Drainage General Obligation Bond Project Scopes (Archived PDF)
Details 2011 storm drainage bond scopes for regulatory compliance work, storm drain and pump station rehabilitation, channel and arroyo improvements, water quality facilities, and drainage master planning. Full 2011 published-scope record · Official City PDF
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The City’s complete 2017 program book includes the Storm Drainage scopes and 2017-2025 funding schedule within the broader decade plan, alongside planning criteria, operating impacts, maps, and legislation.
Full 2017 program context · Official City record · Official City PDF
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2003 General Obligation Bond Program: Master Record (ABQInfo Historical Compilation, Archived PDF)
Preserves the storm-sewer purpose sheet within the complete annual record, including drainage rehabilitation, monitoring, pumps, channels, collectors and crossings alongside the governing resolutions, allocations, and project-selection evidence.
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2007 Storm Sewer System General Obligation Bond Project Scopes (Archived PDF)
Details $10.403 million in 2007 storm-sewer bond scopes for District 3, water-quality monitoring, hydrologic planning, collectors, rehabilitation, pump stations, and public art. Capital Spending placement · Official City PDF
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2009–2017 Storm Drainage General Obligation Bond Summary (Archived PDF)
Schedules $85.175 million for water quality, pump stations, storm drains, arroyo crossings, hydrology, rehabilitation, master planning, and named flood-control projects. Full 2009 capital-program record · Official City PDF
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2009 Storm Sewer System General Obligation Bond Project Scopes (Archived PDF)
Details $13.837 million for water quality, pump stations, storm drains, arroyo crossings, hydrologic planning, flood control, drainage rehabilitation, and public art. Full 2009 capital-program record · Official City PDF
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2007–2016 Storm Drainage Capital Program Summary (Archived PDF)
Schedules storm-drain, arroyo, channel, pump-station, water-quality, rehabilitation, right-of-way, and engineering investments across Albuquerque, identifying named projects and funding by bond cycle through 2016.
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2011–2019 Storm Drainage General Obligation Bond Schedule (Archived PDF)
Schedules $68.85 million for stormwater quality, pump stations, arroyo crossings, channels, basins, rehabilitation, and named drainage projects. Full 2011–2019 capital-program record
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2011 Storm Drainage General Obligation Bond Project Scope (Archived PDF)
Defines $12.95 million in 2011 storm-drainage bond projects for water quality, pump stations, arroyo crossings, Alameda Riverside Drains, Volcano Cliffs, San Pedro, hydrology, and neighborhood flood-control improvements. Full October 2010 capital-program record · Official City PDF
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2005–2013 Drainage Component Capital Implementation Plan (Archived PDF)
Programs impact-fee-supported drainage rights-of-way, trunk lines, channels, diversions, ponds, and basins across Far Northeast, Northwest, Southwest, and Tijeras service areas. Full 2007–2016 capital-program record
County Drainage Projects#
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Foothill Pond Feasibility Study
Evaluates Foothill Bridge Pond and a possible connection to the Isleta Drain, including site survey, hydraulic capacity, a 30% conceptual design, and construction-cost estimate for improving the stormwater outfall system.
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Barcelona Road Storm Drain Project Phase 1
The County’s first Barcelona Road phase connected new runoff collection to the Armijo Drain and added bicycle lanes, curb and gutter, and a sidewalk near Barcelona Elementary. The project page reports construction completed in August 2018.
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Barcelona Road Storm Drain Project Phase 2A
Preserves the completed South Valley flood-reduction project between Joe Sanchez and La Junta Roads, including runoff collection and connection to the Armijo Drain alongside bicycle lanes, curb and gutter, and sidewalk improvements.
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Barcelona Road Storm Drain Project Phase 2B/3
The County’s later phase extends storm-drain and roadway work from Barcelona Circle West toward the Isleta Drain and nearby streets. Its August 26, 2026 update reports work starting on Yuma south of Barcelona; the page also retains design and later construction estimates, so completion is unconfirmed.
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Hooper Road SW Drainage Improvements
The County built about 300 feet of storm drain on Hooper Road SW with state capital-improvement funding. Its project page records completion in May 2018.
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Garduño/Ortega Storm Drain Developments
The County’s design record proposes replacing the 4th Street and Ortega Road pump station and force main, adding a Garduño Road storm drain to Paseo del Norte Pond 5, and modestly increasing pond storage. The page labels the project as design; its older construction schedule is not a completion report.
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Hardy Court Improvements — Project Map (2025 Archived Image)
Maps the roadway and drainage project near Riverside Drive, including residential access, the proposed storm-drain outfall, West Riverside Drain, Rio Grande bosque, and surrounding neighborhood context. Official County project page
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Arenal Storm Drain Project — Site Map (2021 Archived PDF)
Maps the Arenal storm-drain project mailing area and its relationship to Coors Boulevard, Arenal Road, neighborhood streets, canals, ditches, laterals, and the Isleta Drain in the South Valley.
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Sunset Road Improvements — Proposed Storm Drain Map (2021 Archived PDF)
Maps the proposed Sunset Road storm drain between Arenal Road and Bridge Boulevard, showing its connection to the Sanchez Farm detention pond and its relationship to neighborhood streets and drainage features.
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Vista del Rio Area Storm Drainage Project — Phase Map (2016 Archived PDF)
Maps four phases of Vista del Rio drainage improvements, including storm-drain lines, detention ponds, pumped river and riverside-drain outfalls, flood-hazard areas, neighborhood streets, and the Phase 4 construction area.
Municipal Stormwater Research#
Contamination-Source Studies#
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Antibiotic Resistance Analysis of Contamination in Stormwater — Final Report (2002 Archived PDF)
Investigates fecal-contamination sources in Albuquerque stormwater using antibiotic-resistance analysis, sampling arroyos, channels, dams, and pump stations; it documents methods, source libraries, results, site maps, photographs, and recommended technology transfer.
Official City Street and Storm Maintenance Page · Official City PDF
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Antibiotic Resistance Analysis of Contamination in Stormwater — Figures (2002 Archived PDF)
Supplies the ten mapped sampling-area figures referenced by the final report, locating monitored arroyos, channels, rain gauges, land uses, and contamination-source results across Albuquerque.
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Antibiotic Resistance Analysis of Contamination in Stormwater — Appendices (2002 Archived PDF)
Preserves the final report’s supporting classification tables, sample and isolate summaries, study-area map, and site photographs, completing the City’s separately published technical record.
Municipal Stormwater Program and Annual Reports#
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EPA Middle Rio Grande Watershed-Based MS4 General Permit (2014 archived PDF)
Sets the NMR04A000 watershed permit requirements for water-quality standards, impaired waters, construction and post-construction runoff, illicit discharges, public education, municipal operations, and monitoring. Albuquerque’s NMR04A014 coverage and later annual filings are under this permit.
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City of Albuquerque MS4 Annual Report, FY 2025 (archived PDF)
Reports FY 2025 municipal stormwater permit compliance in Albuquerque, including monitoring, pollutant controls, inspections, public education, construction oversight, water-quality results, and extensive supporting records and appendices.
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City of Albuquerque MS4 Annual Report, FY 2024 (archived PDF)
Documents FY 2024 municipal stormwater permit work, including water-quality protection, illicit-discharge control, construction and post-construction programs, pollution prevention, monitoring, public outreach, and supporting appendices.
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City of Albuquerque MS4 Annual Report, FY 2023 (Archived PDF)
Documents FY 2023 municipal stormwater permit compliance, including monitoring, illicit-discharge controls, construction oversight, municipal operations, public education, water-quality results, interagency coordination, and supporting attachments.
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City of Albuquerque MS4 Annual Report, FY 2022 (archived PDF)
Preserves the FY 2022 municipal stormwater compliance record for Albuquerque, including monitoring, impaired-water responses, illicit-discharge work, construction oversight, municipal operations, public education, and program attachments.
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City of Albuquerque MS4 Annual Report, FY 2021 (final archived PDF)
The final FY 2021 filing covers wet-weather monitoring, impaired-water responses, stormwater-quality features, illicit-discharge controls, construction and post-construction oversight, municipal operations, outreach, and supporting attachments.
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City of Albuquerque MS4 Annual Report, FY 2020 (final archived PDF)
The final FY 2020 filing records monitoring and impaired-water work, stormwater-quality controls, construction and post-construction review, illicit-discharge investigations, municipal pollution prevention, outreach, and supporting records.
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City of Albuquerque MS4 Annual Report, FY 2019 (archived PDF)
Records FY 2019 monitoring and impaired-water responses, structural stormwater controls, construction review, illicit-discharge work, municipal operations, public outreach, and supporting monitoring and inspection materials.
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City of Albuquerque MS4 Annual Report, FY 2018 (Archived PDF)
Documents Albuquerque’s FY2018 municipal stormwater permit compliance, including impaired-water priorities, monitoring, illicit-discharge investigations, construction oversight, municipal operations, public education, photographs, laboratory results, inspection records, and extensive supporting appendices.
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City of Albuquerque MS4 Annual Report, FY 2017 (archived PDF)
Reports FY 2017 monitoring, impaired-water measures, illicit-discharge detection, construction and post-construction controls, municipal operations, public education, and extensive supporting attachments.
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City of Albuquerque MS4 Annual Report, FY 2016 (archived PDF)
The signed, compiled FY 2016 filing addresses water-quality priorities, public education, construction-site inspections, illicit-discharge detection, municipal stormwater operations, and supporting records.
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City of Albuquerque Stormwater Management Program (2019 archived PDF)
Defines the municipal stormwater program for Albuquerque under the watershed-based MS4 permit, covering legal authority, monitoring, public involvement, illicit discharges, construction, post-construction controls, municipal operations, schedules, and responsibilities.
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Arroyo Maintenance Facility Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (2021 Archived PDF)
Documents pollution-prevention controls for the City’s Arroyo Maintenance Facility, including operations, potential pollutants, spill response, inspections, training, monitoring, site maps, and environmental compliance.
Historical Permit and Water-Quality Records#
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MS4 Stormwater-Quality Sampling Fact Sheet (2003 Archived PDF)
Summarizes the City and USGS cooperative stormwater-quality program, describing sampling locations, land uses, channel conditions, runoff loads, and regulatory monitoring across Albuquerque.
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Albuquerque Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit (2005 Archived PDF)
Sets the 2005 federal municipal-storm-sewer permit requirements for Albuquerque, covering authorized discharges, pollution prevention, monitoring, reporting, implementation schedules, enforcement, and interagency responsibilities.
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City Storm Drainage Library Index (2010 Archived PDF)
Indexes the City’s historical hydrology and drainage library, identifying capital-program, arroyo, channel, pond, study, design, construction, and close-out records available as of May 2010.
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Albuquerque MS4 Notice of Intent (2015 Archived PDF)
Records Albuquerque’s 2015 notice of intent for municipal stormwater permit coverage, documenting the transition to the watershed-based MS4 program and related compliance commitments.
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City of Albuquerque MS4 Monitoring Data for Water Year 2015 (Archived PDF)
Explains Albuquerque’s 2015 stormwater monitoring submission, permit transition, reporting cycles, bacterial and chemical loading, wet-weather sampling, dry-weather screening, discharge reports, and related AMAFCA water-quality attachments.
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Albuquerque MS4 Water-Quality Monitoring Status, July 2014-January 2015 (Archived PDF)
Preserves wet-weather sampling dates, storm duration, rainfall, discharge estimates, collection methods, and monitoring-station status for Albuquerque arroyo and stormwater outfalls during FY 2015.
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Albuquerque MS4 Water-Quality Monitoring Status, June-September 2015 (Archived PDF)
Records 2015 wet-weather monitoring events at Albuquerque arroyos and stormwater outfalls, including rainfall, storm duration, discharge estimates, sampling methods, inactive stations, and collection notes.
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Albuquerque MS4 Bacterial TMDL Loading Report, Water Year 2015 (archived PDF)
Calculates estimated E. coli loads from major Albuquerque stormwater outfalls during water year 2015 and compares daily results with Middle Rio Grande bacterial TMDL wasteload allocations.
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City of Albuquerque NPDES Permit Transitional Update (2015 archived PDF)
Documents the 2015 Albuquerque transition from its former Phase I municipal stormwater permit to the watershed-based MS4 permit, reconciling reporting periods, monitoring, program responsibilities, and compliance activities.
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AMAFCA/Albuquerque MS4 Floatable and Gross Pollutant Study (2005)
Analyzes litter and gross pollutants entering Albuquerque’s municipal stormwater system, identifies sources and drainage conditions, evaluates reduction strategies and structural controls, and establishes a coordinated AMAFCA-City program framework.
Official City Street and Storm Maintenance page · Official City PDF
Historical Rainfall, Runoff, and Water-Quality Data#
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Preserves USGS and City monitoring data for rainfall, runoff, channel flow, and stormwater quality across the Albuquerque metropolitan area, including methods, station records, hydrographs, and water-year 2003 results.
Official City Street and Storm Maintenance page · Official City PDF
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Continues the metropolitan rainfall, runoff, channel-flow, and stormwater-quality record with monitoring methods, station data, hydrographs, precipitation, discharge, and water-quality results for water year 2004.
Official City Street and Storm Maintenance page · Official City PDF
Development Review Hydrology, Drainage, and Stormwater Standards#
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The joint manual of the City, NMDOT, and AMAFCA sets storm water management guidelines for construction and industrial activities in the Albuquerque area, covering permit coverage, pollution prevention plans, best management practices, inspection, and reporting.
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The enacted City ordinance adds stormwater quality purposes; defines best management practices, green infrastructure, and the eightieth percentile storm event; and requires on-site management of new runoff.
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Drainage, Flood Control and Erosion Control Governing Regulations Summary (Archived PDF)
The City summary lists the ordinances, policies, and agency regulations governing drainage, flood control, stormwater quality, and erosion control, including the Drainage Ordinance, Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, and AMAFCA requirements.
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The City sheet sets when construction plans need an approved erosion and sediment control plan or permit, keyed to disturbed acreage, connection to the Rio Grande, site significance, and MS4 permittee status.
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Construction Stormwater Quality Submittal Process, Revision February 7, 2025 (Archived PDF)
The City process sheet sets how construction erosion and sediment control plans and notices of intent are approved before permits issue, and what a request for a determination of site stabilization must contain.
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Stormwater Quality Plan Information Sheet and Inspection Fee Schedule (Archived PDF)
The City sheet publishes stormwater quality plan review and inspection fees by project type and disturbed acreage for commercial permits, work orders, multi-family projects, and land or infrastructure development.
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The City explainer describes Letters of Map Amendment, Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill, and Letters of Map Revision, including their evidence requirements and relative costs.
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What Are Special Flood Hazard Areas, Also Known as Flood Zones (Archived PDF)
The City explainer defines federal flood-zone designations used on Albuquerque maps, from Zone X and levee-protected areas through Zones A, AH, AO, and AE, and identifies when mortgage-related flood insurance is mandatory.
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The standard notes require a sidewalk culvert built to City Standard Drawing 2236, a pre-forming meeting, an excavation permit, utility notice, and compliance with construction safety law.
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Hydrology Review Fees, 2024 (Archived PDF)
The Planning Department schedule sets 2024 hydrology review charges for grading and drainage plans, drainage reports, plats, and resubmittals, scaled by lot count and including the information-technology surcharge.
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The standard plat language defines drainage easements and detention areas, assigns maintenance responsibility, and preserves the perpetual right of storm water conveyance for subdivision lots.