Figure Eight Lake
Chaves County, New MexicoView 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)
- Limited data
Figure Eight Lake in Chaves County, New Mexico is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 6.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 17 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 6.9 ft
- Phosphorus
- 17 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 3 µg/L
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
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Stays near Figure Eight Lake
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Watch Figure Eight Lake’s letter
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Why Figure Eight 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 Figure Eight 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.
Figure Eight Lake is a lake in Chaves County, New Mexico. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NMED, last sampled 2022-04-14. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
The letter is not a swimming clearance. Figure Eight 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 Figure Eight Lake
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
Moderate clarity, visible to about 6.9 ft. Phosphorus 17 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 3 µg/L. TSI 45.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.9 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 17 µg/L | Not graded |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 45 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Fishing Figure Eight Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.069 m/yr | 2 |
EPA Impairment Status
Figure Eight 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-9000.B_044 · Official waterbody report
Nearby Lakes in Chaves County
Frequently asked questions about Figure Eight Lake
Where is Figure Eight Lake?
- Figure Eight Lake is a lake in Chaves 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 Figure Eight Lake?
- Figure Eight Lake in Chaves County, New Mexico is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 6.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 17 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3 µg/L.
Is Figure Eight Lake safe to swim in?
- The letter is not a swimming clearance. Figure Eight Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
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Where this data comes from
13 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_WQX13 samples · 2013–2022
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
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