Potential for additional flooding continues

MIMBRES, NM, March 23, 2023 – The Gila National Forest, Wilderness Ranger District met Tuesday with members of the Gila Hot Springs community to talk about Grapevine Campground and other recreation facilities in the area. Grapevine is located along the banks of the East Fork Gila River within its floodplain, about 1 mile south of Gila Hot Springs.

The campground was closed last year, and its gate remains shut due to damage sustained as a result of flood events following the Black Fire and continued potential for flooding. Daily storm events during last year's monsoon season sent floods of water, rock, soil, and debris rushing down the East Fork, which swept away portions of the campground that used to hold campsites. Experience has shown that flood events can be expected for at least two years following a fire.

"We are in the process of determining what the future looks like for Grapevine and other developed recreation sites that sustained damage during the Black Fire," said Wilderness District Ranger Henry Provencio. "Due to its location in a floodplain, options for repairing flood damage are limited by agency policy. We are considering opportunities for redevelopment of several campgrounds, including Grapevine, Black Canyon, and Forks."

The Forest recently received $16.5 million in funding for Black Fire recovery, with about $3 million of it earmarked for repairs of recreational facilities, such as campgrounds, roads, and trails. The district is considering all options for Grapevine. Some options discussed during their visit with the Gila Hot Springs community include reducing Grapevine's footprint to retain those sites that exist outside of the floodplain or converting the site for day use and enlarging other campgrounds in the vicinity to compensate for lost opportunity.

The conversation is just beginning. The Forest will host a public meeting soon to discuss additional opportunities for Grapevine Campground. "The public is an important part of this process, and we want to make sure we are hearing from them," said District Recreation Program Manager Phillip Walrod.

Use of Grapevine is permitted, but vehicles are not allowed past the gate to prevent further resource damage.

Restrooms are open, and parking is available outside of the campground for day use and river access. For more information, contact Maribeth Pecotte at Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov or 575-388-8211.