The heavy runoff from this past winter’s snowpack has kept water levels in Rio Arriba County reservoirs at or above average. That means there should be plenty of water for vacationers celebrating the end of summer over the upcoming Labor Day weekend.
Heron Lake was at 100 percent of average, while Abiquiú Lake and El Vado Lake were at 131 and 138 percent of average at the end of July, according to the latest numbers released by the National Conservation Resources Service.
Abiquiú Lake has enjoyed its busiest season since 2003 and water levels are good for recreation, according to Supervisory Park Ranger Eric Garner.
“With the higher gas prices, folks are staying closer to home and we have good water levels this year,” Garner said. “It’s looking pretty good for this weekend in terms of recreation.”
The lake is managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and has one campground, Riana. There are 54 sites and 12 overflow sites. The campground closes at 10 p.m., and there is an overflow parking site for late arrivals. Garner said that the area has been busy on weekends this summer and he recommends calling ahead to check on availability of sites at 685-4561 or 685-4371.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at Abiquiú Lake and Garner feels that has contributed to a family-oriented atmosphere.
“Even though our numbers have gone up, it has gone really smooth,” Garner said. “We have more families and less partiers.”
Abiquiú Lake offers a full range of boating activities, including water skiing and jet skiing. Because of the high water levels, fishing for smallmouth bass, walleye and catfish has been good this year.
El Vado Lake State Park, about 30 miles north of Abiquiú, offers a full range of boating activities and has fishing for brown trout, rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. The State Park has two campgrounds and although water levels have fallen five feet there is still plenty of water for launching boats, reports Siscily Lederman of nearby Heron Lake State Park.
In addition to the fine fishing at El Vado Lake, the Rio Chama below El Vado Dam is one of the best spots in New Mexico to hook a big brown trout. The state record brown trout, a 20-pound, 4-ounce lunker, came from this area.
Heron Lake State Park, just five miles from El Vado, has eight campgrounds and although Lederman reports all the reserved sites have been filled for the upcoming weekend, there are plenty of sites available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“If they do not need an electrical hookup, they can always find a place to camp,” she said.
Heron Lake is a no-visible wake lake and boats may be operated at or below trolling speeds, which makes it popular with non-motorized boating enthusiasts.
“We’ve been seeing a lot more canoes, kayak and wind-surfing activity,” Lederman said
Because it is the largest no-wake lake in New Mexico, Heron is popular with sail boats. The New Mexico Sailing Club owns and operates a marina at Heron, according to Pat Byrnes, race chair and past commodore of the Club.
“The lake is 80 percent full, which is the most water we’ve had in six years,” Byrnes said.
The marina is open May-October and members rent slips by the season. The public can also rent slips by the night.
“It’s a great getaway from it all,” Byrnes said.
Those interested in finding out more about the Club can visit its web site at nmsailing.org.
Heron also offers fishing for rainbow trout, kokanee salmon and is the only lake in New Mexico with a naturally-reproducing population of lake trout. The state record lake trout of 31 pounds, 6 ounces came from Heron.
Lederman said the fishing for rainbow trout and kokanee salmon has been good recently and the water is still really nice for swimming.
Heron also offers great wildlife viewing, with ospreys, great blue herons and mule deer often spotted along its shore.