Lake levels rising across central eastern NM

CLOVIS — Lakes in central eastern New Mexico have been looking less thirsty as the region has enjoyed a reawakening of the monsoon season.

The level rise at Conchas Lake, about 30 miles northwest of Tucumcari, was just short of a foot from June 30 to July 7, according to information from the U.S. Geological Survey, which tracks water depth and lake volume daily.

The new water in Conchas was enough to reopen some boat ramps that had been shut down this summer because of low water level, according to Toby Velasquez, deputy director of New Mexico State Parks.

The rise was more dramatic at Lake Sumner near Fort Sumner, where a depth gauge showed the lake had risen about 7.3 feet, according to USGS data.

Velasquez said Lake Sumner benefits from the flow of both the Pecos River and Alamogordo Creek. Along the Pecos alone, Santa Rosa Lake upstream from Lake Sumner noted a rise of about 6.5 feet, as did Brantley Lake, near Carlsbad, downstream from Lake Sumner.

Ute Lake at Logan, downstream along the Canadian River from Conchas, noted a rise of 2 feet between June 29 and July 7, USGS data showed.

By far the largest elevation rise among lakes along the state’s eastern border was recorded at Clayton Lake, near Clayton, which rose 12 feet from June 29 to July 2, resulting in reopening of docks and boat ramps, there, according to State Parks officials.

“I hate to give an estimate” of how much water levels would increase in total, Velasquez said on July 7. “They’re still rising.”

Velasquez said increasing water depth is good news for boaters, not only because it is easier to get boats in the water, but because there are fewer “navigation hazards.”

On the other hand, he said, with more water flowing in, debris floats in as well.

That he said, is reason for caution when boating.

“If the weather looks like it’s getting inclement, you should not take the boat out,” he said. Lightning strikes can be deadly on the water, Velasquez added, and being stranded on a lake in a storm increases the danger.

The weather.gov website showed stormy weather could return Thursday, predicting a better than 30% chance of rain for east central New Mexico locations. Forecasts through Tuesday indicate greater than 20% chances of rain daily.

Overall, Velasquez said, the results of the rainstorms is beneficial, and the benefits extend to the shoreline.

“There are fewer fire restrictions,” he said, which is good news for campers.

“We were sorely in need of rain,” Velasquez said, and the good outweighs the “unintended consequences attached” to the increased water flow.