Chaves County Lake Quality
New Mexico, 4 lakes, average grade B (Good)
Only 4 lakes in Chaves County carry an active grade. The county-level summary is therefore representative of those specific lakes, not necessarily of every water body in the county. With an average grade of B, Chaves County sits comfortably above the {{stateName}} median.
Most of the county's monitored lakes are shallow — under 50 feet — which means wind keeps the water column mixed all summer and sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the surface layer whenever the bottom is disturbed. Lea Lake Overflow (A) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Chaves County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Lea Lake Overflow — or check the official New Mexico fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Chaves County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lea Lake Overflow | A | - | 12 µg/L |
| 2 | Figure Eight Lake | A | 6.9 ft | 17 µg/L |
| 3 | Lake Van | C | 1.8 ft | - |
Other Counties in New Mexico
See how Chaves County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 34 states.
Where to stay near Chaves County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.