What's New at Rio Bosque
Water Returns
Through a combination of water deliveries from the Roberto Bustamante Wastewater Treatment Plant and groundwater from one of our wells, we currently have water flowing the full 2-mile length of the rebuilt former river channel that winds through the park. (In the photo, water flows over a beaver dam on 29 April.) Portions of the wetland cells are also flooded, but full flooding of the cells won't happen until late fall and early winter.For sustaining wetland and riparian ecosystems at Rio Bosque, water is the critical resource. The park relies on three different sources:
- treated wastewater,
- groundwater, and
- irrigation water from the Rio Grande
Another New Mural!
On April 23 and 25, 2025, the returned to Rio Bosque and painted additional striking science murals on the walls of the park's visitor center. The new work features sand prickly pear (Opuntia arenaria) along the base of the building and five park birds of prey soaring across the upper walls. Now in the works: a pamphlet that will give park visitors additional insight into the murals.
A Beaver is Back
Our resident beaver has now been present for over 6 years. When you visit Rio Bosque, look for its multiple dams along the upstream half of the old river channel that winds through the park.
An Invaluable Buffer
The corridor of undeveloped open space east of the park on the other side of the Riverside Canal provides an invaluable buffer for the park. El Paso Water is ensuring that corridor will be protected by dedicating it for a carbon-sequestration project, where the focus will be on expanding native plant life to capture and store carbon as part of El Paso's .
Birds of the Bosque
Rio Bosque is a wildlife refuge that has hosted 268 different bird species. Click here to learn more about noteworthy birds spotted this last month.
Rio Bosque Newsletter
The Rio Bosque newsletter keeps readers abreast of current happenings at the park. The latest issue reports on current water conditions, recent activities of our resident beaver, a difficult 2025 nesting season for a number of birds at the park, the accomplishments of our summer intern, and profiles of the park's hardworking staff.
Become a Friend of the Rio Bosque
The Friends of the Rio Bosque is a volunteer-support group that is active in all aspects of the park such as:
- Education Programs
- Outreach
- Ecosystem Monitoring
- Fundraising
- Faunal Monitoring
Learn more about becoming a friend here.
Community
Rio Bosque is a place where El Pasoans go to relax, reconnect with nature, and learn about our local natural resources.
The Park staff hosts:
- Community work days, where volunteers can help maintain trails, natural communities, and water flow
- Birding tours where participants can see some of the 262 bird species that have been identified in the Park
Learn more