Welcome to monsoon season! Between June 15 and September 30 we see an increase in thunderstorms that can produce large amounts of rainfall in a short amount of time. The stormwater runoff caused by rain falling on impervious surfaces (surfaces where water cannot soak in, like pavement, cement, and roofs) travels quickly through channels and arroyos causing flash floods.

Flash flooding during the monsoon season impacts our natural waterways. As large volumes of fast-moving water travels through arroyos, it can cause bank erosion and channelization (making the arroyo deeper and narrower). As cities become more developed and include more impervious surfaces, larger volumes of stormwater are running off and impacting waterways. You can help prevent erosion by using erosion control measures such as riprap (coarse rock to reduce the velocity, or speed, of the water), planting native and riparian vegetation along banks, and using green stormwater infrastructure, like rainwater harvesting basins, swales, and check dams (www.bernco.gov/rainwater).

During flash flooding, sediment and debris, including trash and litter, are picked up and dumped into the Rio Grande, which is harmful to aquatic life and water quality. You can help keep litter out of arroyos and waterways by properly disposing of waste and litter, and joining a Keep Albuquerque Beautiful event (https://www.cabq.gov/solidwaste/keep-albuquerque-beautiful).

Be careful when hiking in and around arroyos and streams during monsoon season. Flash flooding occurs quickly and sometimes without warning. Make sure to check the weather before heading out and always be on the lookout for clouds!