Lincoln County Lake Quality
New Mexico, 5 lakes, average grade C (Fair)
Lincoln County has 5 graded lakes — a thin enough sample that one or two stressed lakes can move the county average noticeably. Use the per-lake pages below for what actually matters. Lincoln County averages to a C. The distribution behind that average matters more than the letter: a few stressed lakes versus many decent ones can produce the same average as the inverse.
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. Grindstone Canyon Reservoir Deep (B) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Lincoln County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Grindstone Canyon Reservoir Deep — or check the official New Mexico fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Lincoln County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grindstone Canyon Reservoir Deep | B | 9 ft | 38 µg/L |
| 2 | Alto Lake | C | 8.9 ft | 161.5 µg/L |
| 3 | Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet | D | - | 61 µg/L |
| 4 | Alto Lake Inlet | F | - | 437.5 µg/L |
Other Counties in New Mexico
See how Lincoln 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 Lincoln County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.