NMSU evaluates plans for complete Alumni Pond rebuild

University leaders are currently evaluating funding options, including assessing the level of alumni and community support for restoration of the Alumni Pond. The level of funding available will dictate how quickly the Alumni Pond can be restored. (NMSU photo by Josh Bachman, July 2023)

Source: NMSU News Release
DATE: September 30, 2024
WRITER: Tatiana Favela, tfavela5@nmsu.edu, 575-646-7953

New Mexico State University is looking at the next steps to restore and rebuild its Alumni Pond, which was closed last August after losing a significant amount of water in a short period of time.

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

Some observations of this report include: The pond was created in the 1970s and is approximately one acre in size; 12-feet deep at maximum; and has a volume of 2.2 million gallons. At the point of closure, the pond had lost approximately 750,000 gallons of water in three days, about one-third of its capacity. The pond’s liner is more than 45 years old and should be completely replaced.

With the pond drained, Facilities and Services staff have also determined that the 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 to walk on. The cost for this project is estimated to be 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 the expert study concluded and recommended a complete rebuild of the Alumni Pond, which will allow the NMSU community to enjoy the ducks and fishing for decades to come.

University leaders are currently evaluating funding options, including assessing the level of alumni and community support for restoration of the Alumni Pond. The level of funding available will dictate how quickly the Alumni Pond can be restored.

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Levi Gwaltney

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