Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet
Lincoln County, New Mexico39 acresView mapDirections
NMED publishes the water-quality measurements for Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet. Here is what has been measured.
- Eutrophic
- Limited data
Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet in Lincoln County, New Mexico has water-quality measurements published by NMED, shown here as reported. Phosphorus: 61 µg/L. Surface area: 38.8 acres.
Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet is a 39-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Lincoln County, New Mexico. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Lincoln County, Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NMED, last sampled 2024-09-26. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Swimming conditions
Readings onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae readings from past sampling — there is no live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet is safe to swim in today is a call for the New Mexico Environment Department and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.
Water quality measurements for Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet
These are the measurements NMED publishes for Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
No clarity data. Phosphorus 61 µg/L. TSI 63.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | No reading How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. | |
| Total phosphorus | 61µg/L | Poor GoodFairPoor |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | No reading The green pigment in algae — a direct measure of how much algae is in the water. | |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 63 | Eutrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Ask about Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Lake Details
Surface area
39 acres
No bathymetric survey has been published for Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet, so its depth is not documented here.
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet in Lincoln County, New Mexico — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water. The water-quality readings cover nutrients and algae, not lodging. Cabins and rentals around Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at New Mexico’s top lakes →
Follow Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet’s readings
Email me when new measurements post for this lake. Updates stay free.
Or email
Fishing Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet
Water quality readings over time
3 seasons of samples on record (2012–2024). Calling a direction takes at least 4 years of the same measurement.
Water clarity
Improving3 years
Chlorophyll-a
0 µg/L/yr3 years
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Grindstone Canyon Dam (completed 1987), built primarily for water supply on the Grindstone Canyon; roller-compacted concrete-type dam, 133 ft tall and 1,304 ft long.
- Surface area
- 38.8 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,549.8 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 1,700 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 1.23 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- VILLAGE OF RUIDOSO
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID NM00513 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.17 km)
Nearby Lakes in Lincoln County
Frequently asked questions about Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet
Where is Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet?
- Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet is a lake in Lincoln County, New Mexico. Its water-quality measurements are published by NMED and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet?
- Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet in Lincoln County, New Mexico has water-quality measurements published by NMED, shown here as reported. Phosphorus: 61 µg/L. Surface area: 38.8 acres.
Is Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet across LakeQuality
More lakes in New Mexico
Other Lakes in New Mexico
Eutrophic Lakes in New Mexico
Where this data comes from
4 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2024. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- NM Environmental Dept./SWQB
21NMEX_WQX4 samples · 2024
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
EPA condition classes from the National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See where the data comes from and data sources.