City offers free swim passes to kids who pledge to avoid arroyos
By Alyssa Munoz
Click here for updates on this story
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KOAT) — The city of Albuquerque is offering free swim passes to children who pledge to stay out of arroyos and ditches as monsoon season begins Monday.
Arroyos help guide water runoff throughout the city, but they can fill quickly during heavy rains, reaching depths of 12 to 15 feet with rushing water. These conditions can turn deadly if someone gets stuck in one.
The “Ditch the Ditches” program asks kids to take a pledge, promising to avoid ditches and arroyos and to call 911 if they see someone in danger. Each child who takes the pledge will receive a free swim pass.
Nicole Friedt, director of planning and engineering for the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority, highlighted the risks posed by arroyos. Sometimes, even on sunny days, unexpected events such as water main breaks can make the channels dangerous.
“Just 6 inches of water can knock a person down,” Friedt said. “Water can travel from the foothills to the river in about 20 minutes. It’s really important for people to always kind of just be aware that there is a potential danger, and that’s what these facilities are designed for, is to convey that water so that their homes and their properties don’t flood.”
Officials advise residents to contact local authorities, such as the fire department or 311, if they see anyone in an arroyo and rain appears imminent.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.