Sierra County Lake Quality
New Mexico, 3 lakes, average grade D (Poor)
Only 3 lakes in Sierra 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. The county-wide average grade is D — water quality issues are persistent across most of the monitored basins. 0 lakes fall into the F bracket outright.
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. E Butte Lake (C) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Sierra County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for E Butte Lake — or check the official New Mexico fishing regulations.
All Lakes in Sierra County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E Butte Lake | C | 3.6 ft | - |
| 2 | Caballo Lake | D | 1.8 ft | - |
| 3 | Elephant Butte Reservoir | D | 3.4 ft | - |
Other Counties in New Mexico
See how Sierra 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 Sierra County
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.