Fenton Lake
Sandoval County, New Mexico32 acresView mapDirections
Not enough samples to grade — the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity. No letter yet. Here is what we do have.
- Impaired · Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)
- Public access
- Limited data
Fenton Lake in Sandoval County, New Mexico is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 7.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 14 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 5.4 µg/L. Surface area: 32 acres.
- Clarity
- 7.9 ft
- Area
- 32 acres
- Phosphorus
- 14 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 5.4 µg/L
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
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Watch Fenton Lake’s letter
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Why Fenton Lake has no grade
We grade a lake only when the monitoring record supports a letter: at least three phosphorus or chlorophyll-a samples in the last ten years, scored against EPA National Lakes Assessment thresholds for this lake’s ecoregion. For Fenton Lake, the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity. Sampling here has recorded water clarity, phosphorus and algae (chlorophyll-a).
Not Rated is not an F. It is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. The water here may be excellent or poor; nobody has measured enough of it to say. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by NMED and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Fenton Lake is a 32-acre lake in Sandoval County, New Mexico. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NMED, last sampled 2022-04-07. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Fenton Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
The letter is not a swimming clearance. Fenton Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
Water quality measurements for Fenton Lake
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.9 ft. Phosphorus 14 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 5.4 µg/L. TSI 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.9 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 14 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 5.4 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 32 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Fenton Lake, so its depth is not documented here.
Recreation & Access
- Fenton Lake State ParkPublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Fenton Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 3 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.066 m/yr | 3 |
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Fenton Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Fenton Lake Dam (completed 1946), built primarily for recreation on the Rio Cebolla; earth-type dam, 41 ft tall and 362 ft long.
- Surface area
- 32 ac
- Normal storage
- 256 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 721 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 47 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH
All listed purposes: Recreation;Fish and Wildlife Pond.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID NM00177 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Fenton Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit NM-2106.B_00 · Official waterbody report
Graded lakes near Fenton Lake
Fenton Lake has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Sandoval County
Frequently asked questions about Fenton Lake
Where is Fenton Lake?
- Fenton Lake is a lake in Sandoval County, New Mexico. LakeQuality has not rated this lake (UNRATED) — the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity.
What is the water quality grade for Fenton Lake?
- Fenton Lake in Sandoval County, New Mexico is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 7.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 14 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 5.4 µg/L. Surface area: 32 acres.
Is Fenton Lake safe to swim in?
- The letter is not a swimming clearance. Fenton Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
Are there boat ramps on Fenton Lake?
- Fenton Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Fenton Lake State Park. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Fenton Lake across LakeQuality
2 documented falls within 7.6 mi, nearest Soda Dam
4 thermal springs within 6.6 mi, nearest Spence Hot Springs
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where this data comes from
16 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2013–2022. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- NM Environmental Dept./SWQB
21NMEX_WQX16 samples · 2013–2022
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 10200 H 2 ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination by spectrophotometer
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory