NEW MEXICO BOATING WATERS

Here you will find a comprehensive listing and information on all of our New Mexico State Park Lakes and Reservoirs as well as those for boating opportunities elsewhere in New Mexico. Lakes are found in the right column.

Going to the left side column and clicking on "Boating" you will find links to general Information, Registration, Education Requirements and Frequently Asked Questions.

Staying overnight at or on a State Park operated lake in a "primitive" boat camping mode is governed by the Visitor Provisions at the bottom of the list on the right side of this page.

Boat Rentals in New Mexico State Parks 

Power Boating in New Mexico

Sailing in New Mexico

Rafting, Kayaking and Canoeing in New Mexico

Other Lake and River Water Sources in New Mexico

Water Levels for State Park Lakes - Click Here

Weekly Fishing Report

Nuisance water species warning for boaters/fishermen

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POWERBOATING

The most suitable lakes for power boating, sailing or water sports are in the column on to the right of this page in LARGE, CAPITALIZED typeface.

Most other listed lakes have restrictions on motor size or type and/or speed. 

A number of them are fully powerboat restricted and are listed in the column in order to save your travel time to a lake that does not allow your activity.

SAILING

The most popular day sailing lakes are: Heron, Cochiti, Elephant Butte and Navajo. All lake use is dependent upon the season which sees changes in both water temperature and wind availability.

Hobie Cats because of their shallow draft do use the above lakes and add Storrie Lake above Las Vegas, New Mexico to their sailing/racing days.  Their sailing season usually starts racing in the south and moves north as water temperatures warm up.

Heron Lake State Park with it's sailing club operated marina as well as the upper portion of Navajo Lake by the Colorado Border are the most popular options during the summer sailing season .

Elephant Butte Lake State Park is usually known for sailing during the winter off season. 

Cochiti Lake is popular most of the year due to it's location close to both Santa Fe and Albuquerque with dry storage nearby. It will freeze over during some winters.

Four sailing clubs exist, the Division 5 Hobie Cat Club and their New Mexico local Hobie Fleet 48, the Rio Grande Sailing Club, the New Mexico Sailing Club, (Bruce Bowen runs their sailing classes not currently New Mexico approved. The class is 16 hrs over a 2 day weekend.  To register, or for more information please contact the club) and the Coronado Optimist Sailing Club (Mark Paz runs the Coronado program for youth sailing specializing in youth regional and national competitive Lazer racing c/o 781 W. Highway 550, Bernalillo, NM 87004  505-867-3939).  These groups hold youth sailing days, instructional days and fun day and racing schedules. At the nearest to Albuquerque lake for sailing, called Cochiti Lake, there is a non-profit club that is called the Boat Owners of Cochiti working to keep the existing dry storage site at the Cochiti Store and to work with Cochiti Pueblo and the US Army Corps of Engineers to restart the marina at Cochiti Lake.

PADDLECRAFT

New Mexico has a wide range of paddlecraft opportunities from guided seasonal adrenaline pumping whitewater rafting and sportyak trips on the upper Rio Grande to mellow urban and rural trips by canoe and kayak on the lower Rio Grande. Popular on New Mexico lakes are paddleboat/pedalcraft like sea kayaks, recreation touring kayaks, pontoon rowers or canoes. They are best used on the small or designated "no-wake" lakes during the summer months. 

In the fall most motorboating drops off at the large most popular state park operated lakes and they become calmer, quieter, are still warm in temperature, definitely uncrowded, and a joy to explore, bird watch or camp out on with a kayak or canoe. Some kayakers and canoeists even have been known to go out to enjoy the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta by going down the Rio Grande.

Each state park lake is unique in it's kayak or canoe opportunities. One can enjoy exploring the quiet Willow Creek arm on Heron Lake and take in the Rio Chama Canyon arm of El Vado Lake on the same trip.  Primitive camp along the shoreline in the fall at Navajo Lake.  You can move along the south shore eastward at Santa Rosa Lake and then turn north thru the shallow gap to the Skeleton Forest and make an ambitious trip to fish and exploring the slow moving Pecos River Canyon as it enters the lake past Horseshoe Bend. You can put in at Rock Canyon Marina or Monticello Point at Elephant Butte Lake State Park in the fall and find a quiet campsite on the east side of the lake. You can take a trip down the Rio Grande from the base of the Elephant Butte Dam at the State Park put-in and run it thru the hot springs town of Truth or Consequences to the wildlife meanders that enter Caballo Lake and finish at your own lakeside camp at Caballo Lake State Park.  You could even put-in when the water is up at the Leasburg Dam Day Use area for a half day paddle to the Highway 70/Picacho Bridge in Las Cruces.

Sea Kayaking at Navajo Lake State Park with Marcel Bieg, Instructor

Outdoor Leadership Program

San Juan Community College

Farmington, New Mexico

Using paddlecraft requires a set of best practices for safety.  Learn them. Pay close attention to your self rescue equipment both required (required pdf) and recommended back up (Paddle leashes, Paddlefloats, Roll-Aid, Sponsons, Tow Lines, Foot Stirrups). Practice their use, your life depends on it. And although New Mexico has the impression of being in the desert many lakes and rivers are snowmelt fed or have dams that release deep and cold waters.  Dress for the swim - especially in early season.

It means proper dressing for possibility of Cold Water Shock - the sudden immersion in cold water, which triggers the involuntary "gasp" reflex. In New Mexico cold water "shock" is a major cause or contributor of death when paddlecraft accidentally capsize and is more likely to happen if a life jacket is not being worn. An early season fatality on the Rio Grande likely had the "shock" as a main contributor to the death.  Without controlling your breath during the first few minutes you can even hyperventilate and pass out.

That's not to discourage you from getting out on the water but just to make you realize that generally the risks increase from a number of factors that can be minimized thru education and experience. Here are the real statistics. Other than personal watercraft, paddlecraft in a recent study are shown to have the highest fatality rates per million boating hours participation nationally with the exception of personal watercraft. (Canoes and kayaks 42 deaths per million hours, personal watercraft 24 deaths per million hours, rowboats 20 deaths per million hours, rafts 17 deaths per million hours, open motorboats 14 deaths per million hours, sailboats 12 deaths per million hours, cabin motorboats .07 deaths per million hours)

More information on the statistics are here.

Risks are minimized by starting out with experienced paddlers and instructors. Contact your local college, community aquatics centers, military recreation activities center, or city/town swimming pools that may have skills sessions.  These organizations and clubs will increase your margin of safety by allowing you to do these activities with others that back you up in an emergency. In New Mexico those include the American Canoe Association and their instructors, the Adobe Whitewater Club, and New Mexico Meetup.com Groups specific to Kayaking or Canoeing.

Here is a site with a bit a fun from down under  NZ Kayak Safety

Local practice, New Mexico Paddlecraft, Canoe, Kayak rentals and instruction is available at a number of locations. 

Albuquerque area contact Jennifer King, Rio Rancho Aquatic Center, 745 Loma Colorado St NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124  505-891-5230 or 505-891-5232 for pool practice sessions and a specialty youth summer program called Spirit of America.

Aquatic Center in Los Alamos 505-662-8170 the Olympic Pool is open @7:25 pm for boat cleaning prior to pool entry for an hour of open boating every Tuesday April thru August and from September thru March once a month on the last Tuesday of the month.

Farmington contact the San Juan College Outdoor Recreation Program, Aside from a great set of courses covering canoeing, rafting and whitewater kayaking, the program does hold clinics http://www.sanjuancollege.edu/pages/3254.asp

Courses and enrollment contact Marcel Bieg, Coordinator Outdoor Leadership Program, 4601 College Boulevard, Farmington, NM 87402-4699, (505) 566-3113 Fax 505-566-3790 biegm@sanjuancollege.edu who offers great programs year around http://www.sanjuancollege.edu/outdoor including a multiday summer trip OLER 299-002 Expedition Sea Kayaking.

Military member or with base access contact Sam Glaser Outdoor Adventure Programmer - Kirtland Air Force Base Outdoor Recreation Office - Albuquerque:    505 846-3923 

Military member or with base access contact Tim or Steve Outdoor Recreation Programmer - White Sands Missle Range Office -

White Sands (Close to Las Cruces):   505-678-1713 Amy Dent amy.dent@us.army.mil

New Mexico State University, Outdoor Recreation Las Cruces, New Mexico. You can rent from NMSU for $10 a day. So for a weekend that would be $30. They will give you a canoe, paddle, and vest.

Ben Gabriel Assistant Director Outdoor Recreation 575- 646-4746
bgabriel@nmsu.edu

Here is the link to their site: http://recsport.nmsu.edu/staff2.htm

Coronado Camping Park, 106 Monument Road Bernalillo 87004 , New Mexico. A livery is starting up at this town park location specializing in the Class I and II sections of the Rio Grande above Albuquerque and lake tours. (505) 980-8256.

 

(Check also at local outdoor stores and outfitters found in your phone book yellow pages for rentals. Some lake state parks may know of rental companies off site so give them a call.)

Video tapes and DVD's with introductory information are also available

by calling 1-888-NM-PARKS.

Best Practice Page 1 All Paddlecraft General Considerations

Best Practice Page 2 Canoes (large pdf file 2+MB)

Best Practice Page 2 Rafting (large pdf file 2+MB)

Best Practice Page 2 River Kayaking (large pdf file 2+ MB)

River and Whitewater Definitions Here

Canoe and Kayak Self-Rescue Considerations Study Report

Canoe Rafting and Kayaking Dressing for Cold Water not the Air

 

New Mexico Professional River Outfitter Trips.

These outfitters must meet New Mexico minimum standards for boating safety for rafting and kayaking and strict agency guidelines for guide experience and first aid/CPR training.  Non-swimmers are recommended by Best Practices to not participate in whitewater sports activities since swimming skills are needed to avoid strainers, positioning oneself upstream of boats if ejected or swimming back to a raft or kayak.  Clothing needed to protect yourself in the event of a capsize or fall overboard will vary by outfitter so if you are planning to go make sure you ask what you need or that they provide you what you need in advance.

Remember to dress for the swim not the air temperature .

www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/taos/commercial_private.html

 

Kayak Fishing in New Mexico

The challenge of fishing from a kayak has increased in popularity in New Mexico with outdoor stores carrying both the traditional sit- inside kayaks or sit-on-bottom (SIK- SOB) and both the new paddled sit-on-tops (SOT) and kayak pedalcraft (Mirage Drive or Propeller Driven) that makes lake cruising and trolling easy.  Many kayaks have baitwells, fish finders, multiple rod holders, add on safety features such as stabilizers (AMAS) sailing options and even mini Bimini tops!  Best of all they cost much less than a powerboat and work without gasoline!

The Heron Lake Paddlefest was cancelled for 2009 due to  a shortage of park personnel.  Heron Lake could put it on again if a group of volunteers form to do it. Contact Heron Lake State Park to get on a volunteer list (575-588-7470)

If you are just starting try Fenton and Clayton Lakes.  As you progress you would like Santa Rosa and Caballo Lakes  before heading out on other larger lake explorations.

 

River Running Kayak and Canoes in New Mexico

The information on actual river runs are here. 

Before going on please take the time to first review the information below this section before going.

Great Race on the Rio Grande Annual City of Albuquerque Event

 

Equipment for Paddlecraft River Running or Lakes in New Mexico

Be aware that you are must meet required state equipment requirements (pdf) for your paddlecraft or be subject to trip ending and/or enforcement action.

Life jackets properly sized and worn and in good condition rated for your activity. A Throw Cushion for emergency rescue assists.  Rope the length of the boat for emergency rafting or towing and to keep you boat from being carried off by the wind.  Bailing bucket one gallon in size or a hand operated bilge pump.  Spare oar/paddle so you don't get "stuck up the creek...."  Whistle or other sound producing device that you should attach to each life jacket.  Lights (bright headlamp/flashlight or all around lantern) if operating at night. 

New Mexico has a  statewide mandatory life jacket wear requirement by everyone doing any boating activity at any time on any river in the state or anytime and anyplace in any form of paddlecraft.

New Mexico Boat Act Regulation 9.1.4

"A U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device shall be worn by all persons engaged in boating on a river and in all boat races and by persons using ice sailboats, personal watercraft, kayaks, canoes and rubber rafts on any waters of this state."

Get one that is comfortable and suitable for your activity. Once in the water your life may depend on the life jacket. On whitewater kayaking and rafting trips make sure that the jacket is on tight during and that the label states that it is rated for whitewater use (generally greater protection and buoyancy than normal life jackets)   It is good to have a buddy check the fit by attempting to "lift" the jacket up by it's shoulder straps (should not rise up much off the shoulders) and always check the front straps and any crotch straps before you take off.  The same process should be done after any out of the water stop made when life jackets are sometimes loosened.

Again, required equipment is the bare minimum and does not ensure that you can self rescue in all conditions. 

Additional equipment such as Dry Suit and Insulative Layers, Wetsuit and Drytop, Helmet, Floatation bags, Spray Skirt and Deck, Paddle Leash, Rescue Stirrups, and Paddle Floats, Rescue Knife, Tow Line and Throw Bag and special techniques are recommended as conditions warrant. Some of these are also mandatory by other government agencies when running on their permits.

Canoe Rafting and Kayaking / Dressing for Cold Water

On all trips take the ten essentials listed in the sidebar on the right, file a float plan and take a cell phone with extra battery, satellite position location 911 unit (SPOT) and/or a personal location beacon (PLB) / and a GPS. Make sure most of these items are secured in or on a life jacket and in fully waterproof bags where practical. Check with your commercial outfitter if you are taking one of their trips in a isolated area as to how they will handle an emergency and what provisions they have made for emergency communications if any.

 

Special Considerations

Weather and Temperature.

Always check water flows and water temperatures on some sites at this USGS Site

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nm/nwis/rt

 

Cold Water Immersion .

Cold drains your strength and robs you of the ability to make sound decisions on matters affecting your survival. Cold-water immersion, because of the initial shock and the rapid heat loss that follows, is especially dangerous. The initial stage is the involuntary gasp reflex which if it occurs underwater will cause the victim to immediately start drowning.  It is for that reason that life jackets are required to be worn at all times while out on the water.  The risk od dying without one is too high. Non-swimmers similarly must not go on whitewater rafting trips due to high risk under stress that occurs during a whitewater capsize. It normally w includes the need many times to swim to the raft/kayak/canoe you just fell out of.

Dressing for the Water - NOT THE AIR

Bring and wear appropriate clothing for bad weather or sudden immersion in the water. Drysuits are worn when the water temperature is less than 45 to 50 degrees F. A drysuit is essential for protection if you capsize or go in for an unexpected swim.

Wetsuits are the second choice, but they work by warming the frigid water from 50 to 65 degrees next to your skin. It takes a bit of energy to warm up 50 to 65 degree water in a wetsuit in early season from April/May/Early June. People have drowned on the Rio Grande and Animas Rivers on early season trips that were wearing partial wetsuits. Rounding out a wetsuit or drysuit will be a neoprene skullcap, neoprene gloves, and neoprene boots.

Next best that will work in temperatures 65 degrees and above are polypro fleece or pile clothing (no cotton) under a waterproof splash top shell with neck and wrist closures and a closable waist, waterproof splash pants should have both waist and cuff closures and neoprene skullcap, gloves, and booties. This setup and any regarding sudden cold water immersion assumes really quick rescues by a sweep raft or kayak. In this case, you should also carry waterproof matches and a change of clothing in a waterproof bag.

If, after prolonged exposure, a person experiences uncontrollable shaking, loss of coordination, or difficulty speaking, he or she is hypothermic, and needs your assistance. They may not be able to get out of the water due to loss of muscle coordination. Any persons experiencing a hypothermic episode and/or near drowning that may also take place should go to a hospital for observation and/or treatment due to heart stress that may result in loss of heart rhythm and death.

Whitewater river runners should also consider taking a River Rescue course put on each year in the Taos area with the Taos District of the Bureau of Land Management.

Environmental Concerns Regarding Water for Recreation In New Mexico

Use of New Mexico Streams/Rivers for Recreation -

A US Army Corps of Engineers Study in September 1990 recommended that the Rio Grande, between Rio Grande Reservoir and Cochiti, New Mexico be designated a navigable water of the United States.  Other nearby states have done some other research on water recreation use including portage rights and may have similar basis in New Mexico. Texas Recreation Review

New Mexico Water Quality and Contact Recreation -

The New Mexico Environment Department does testing and checks of the water you recreate on and some not-for-profit organizations are also involved in monitoring the process.

One set of groups monitor the water quality of the ditches and irrigation system that runs through Albuquerque (the Rio Grande between Angostura Diversion and I-25 south of Albuquerque). They include Amigos Bravos (www.amigosbravos.org) the School on Wheels (Albuquerque Alternative High School) and the Rio Grande High School in cooperation with the South Valley Partners for Environmental Justice and the Rio Grande Community Development Center. funding is from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bernalillo County Environmental Health Office.

If you find any pollution sources it would be good to let them know and if in any State Park, immediately notify the Park Management.  If you feel that the segment of state waters need greater protection there is a legal process for making that change thru the Water Quality Control Commission. 

20.6.4.10                 REVIEW OF STANDARDS; NEED FOR ADDITIONAL STUDIES:

                  A.              Section 303(c)(1) of the federal Clean Water Act requires that the state hold public hearings at least once every three years for the purpose of reviewing water quality standards and proposing, as appropriate, necessary revisions to water quality standards.

                  B.              It is recognized that, in some cases, numeric criteria have been adopted that reflect use designations rather than existing conditions of surface waters of the state.  Narrative criteria are required for many constituents because accurate data on background levels are lacking.  More intensive water quality monitoring may identify surface waters of the state where existing quality is considerably better than the established criteria.  When justified by sufficient data and information, the water quality criteria will be modified to protect the attainable uses.

                  C.              It is also recognized that contributions of water contaminants by diffuse non point sources of water pollution may make attainment of certain criteria difficult.  Revision of these criteria may be necessary as new information is obtained on non point sources and other problems unique to semi-arid regions.

[20.6.4.10 NMAC - Rp 20 NMAC 6.1.1102, 10-12-00; Rn, 20.6.4.9 NMAC, 05-23-05; A, 05-23-05]

Planning Water Use in New Mexico-

Water is considered by the New Mexico State Constitution to be a public resource but this resource is governed by a a wide range of water law. Some good sources to find out what is happening to lake and river water today and in the past are a good overview from a state water engineer and your local regional water plan.

http://www.ose.state.nm.us/hot-topics/press/sp-decision-makers-05-08-2001.pdf

http://www.ose.state.nm.us/isc_regional_plans.html

OTHER LAKE and RIVER RESOURCES IN NEW MEXICO

If the lake, reservoir or river you are looking for is other than New Mexico State Park administered, check the links to the right under "Other Boating Locations in New Mexico".

Check the many actual river runs here. 

If there is not enough information, try contacting the other federal, tribal, pueblo, state, or local agencies responsible.  Their major boat contact information is provided below.

Jicarilla Apache Tribal Lands (Jicarilla)

Jicarilla Apache Tribe
PO Box 507
Dulce, NM 87528-0507
Telephone: (505) 759-3242
Fax: (505) 759-3264

Navajo Tribal Lands (Navajo)

Lakes

Boating Regulations

 

New Mexico Game and Fish (NMGF)

US Dept. of the Interior -Bureau of Land Management (USBLM)

US Dept of the Interior - Bureau of Reclamation (USBOR)

US Dept. of the Interior - US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW)

US Dept. of Agriculture - Forest Service (USFS)  

US Dept. of Defense-Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

Cochiti Pueblo Lands - Cochiti Lake Recreation

Laguna Pueblo Land - West of Albuquerque Paguate Lake

Contact 505-552-7512 Mr. Cerno

Zuni Pueblo Lands (Zuni)

In the event that a link on this page does not work or information is out of date

please contact Stephen.Verchinski@state.nm.us

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