Upper Pecos Watershed Association

The Upper Pecos Watershed Association (UPWA) was formed in June 2006 utilizing grant funds available under section 319 of the Clean Water Act. UPWA has begun work on its first on-the-ground projects to rehabilitate and improve the health of the Pecos River, its tributaries and the Pecos Canyon.

The organization has received grant funds from a River Ecosystem Restoration Initiative and a Collaborative Forest Restoration Program to restore a stretch of the Pecos River and address potential problems for forest wildfires in Dalton, Holy Ghost & Windsor Canyons. Beyond raising money and finding funds for projects like these, UPWA also conducts river clean-ups, field days, and other volunteer projects.

Since its inception, UPWA has had many successes including helping with the formation of Pecos Canyon State Park, working with San Miguel County to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and published several reports (e.g. our Watershed Restoration Action Strategy and an "Impact of Recreational Use on Water Quality in the Pecos River").

Important and strategic collaborations with San Miguel County, the National Park Service, the Forest Service, NM Department of Game & Fish, Village of Pecos, NM Department of Parks, NM Environment Department and many others have contributed to our successes. Please consider contributing either your time or monetary support to our active and important organization.