News & Multimedia

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Bureau of Reclamation is teaming up with Agents of Discovery® a free, family-friendly and educational mobile game now available for the Elephant Butte Historic District. The Agents of Discovery app will enhance the visitor experience by exploring the Historic District via a virtually guided tour using geocache technology.

Starting Feb. 17, Elephant Butte players can join a virtual field agent to unlock hidden geo-located challenges, solve educational and entertaining trivia questions, and earn a small prize available at the EBHD Gift Shop located at 55 Dam Site Road, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901.

“Our sister agencies at the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service already utilize the app with great success, but within Reclamation, the Albuquerque Area Office is the very first site to use this app,” said Reclamation Recreation and Resource Management Specialist Ashley King-Gonzales. “This initiative is an important public outreach tool that directly addresses the need for interpretive opportunities for the public. It’s an exciting opportunity.”

In utilizing the app, visitors will learn more about the dam site’s vast history, the surrounding ecosystem and the important work that Reclamation does at the facility with management of water and hydropower.

“Oftentimes, visitors might not know what it is exactly that public land managers do. Through this app, we can help educate the public on the important work that Reclamation does that affects their everyday lives,” said King-Gonzales.

Reclamation’s Albuquerque Area Office Project Manager Hannah Schechter mentioned another great feature of the app- the ability to access the Elephant Butte Historic District from across the country and the globe.

“Anyone, anywhere, can download and explore the free app. Some features in the app, such as missions, can be done remotely, while others require you to be at the specific site to play.”

Schechter also noted that the app is ideal to enhance the visitor experience throughout the year, regardless of the weather conditions and activity level of users.

“We are excited to share this experience with local schools on field trips, other youth groups like 4-H, Scouts, adult tours, and in-state and out-of-state visitors to the Elephant Butte Historic District. The app

is another great activity to add to Elephant Butte’s recreation opportunities and amenities and is especially fun for weather days that aren’t ideal for water-based recreation and trails,” said Schechter. “We hope visitors might even use it as an educational, stand-alone reason to visit the historic district.”

The Agents of Discovery Elephant Butte Historic District launch is being held in conjunction with The Second Annual Dam Site Day and Polar Bear Plunge Saturday, Feb. 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dam Site Marina. Reclamation will host a booth to showcase the new app at this free event where visitors are invited to take a plunge in the frigid reservoir, enjoy live music and visit numerous arts, crafts and food vendors.

The Agents of Discovery app is one of many improvements underway at the Elephant Butte Historic District. Thanks to a $15 million investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, over $5 million in Federal Highways Federal Lands Transportation Program funding, and $3 million from Reclamation funds, visitors will soon enjoy upgrades such as updated utilities, new rooftops on buildings, high-speed WiFi, vehicle charging stations, the paving and repaving of roads and parking lots, and plans for the much-anticipated rehab of the Elephant Butte Historic District restaurant and other historic buildings.

For more information about Dam Site Day, visit the event Facebook page. Those seeking to participate in the polar bear plunge are encouraged to register prior to the event.

The Agents of Discovery app is available for free on iOS and Android devices. To download the app visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your mobile device. For more information about the app and where else you can play, visit https://agentsofdiscovery.com/how-to-play/