Sandia Lakes
Sandoval County, New MexicoView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
- Eutrophic
- #2 of 2 in the county
- Limited data
Sandia Lakes in Sandoval County, New Mexico has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 1.2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 58 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 1.2 ft
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 58 µg/L
- Trend
- → Stable
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Stays near Sandia Lakes
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Sandia Lakes in Sandoval 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.
Top-rated places to stay near Sandia Lakes
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Watch Sandia Lakes’s letter
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Sandia Lakes is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Sandoval County, New Mexico. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2026. Water clarity is improving over recent sampling years. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Sandoval County, Sandia Lakes ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NMED, last sampled 2026-06-15. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Very murky, less than 1.2 ft of visibility. Phosphorus 58 µg/L. TSI 69. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 1.2 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 58 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 69 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Fishing Sandia Lakes
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 7 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +5.574 m/yr | 7 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +12.5 µg/L/yr | 3 |
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 2 lakes in Sandoval County
Nearby Lakes in Sandoval County
Frequently asked questions about Sandia Lakes
Where is Sandia Lakes?
- Sandia Lakes is a lake in Sandoval County, New Mexico. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Sandia Lakes?
- Sandia Lakes in Sandoval County, New Mexico has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 1.2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 58 µg/L.
Is Sandia Lakes safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Explore Sandia Lakes across LakeQuality
17.4 mi away · recorded at 69°F
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at New Mexico's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
New Mexico's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
Planning a trip around Petroglyph?
Sandia Lakes is about 10 miles from Petroglyph National Monument. Crowds there swing hard by season, so the month you pick changes both how busy the park is and what lodging costs.
Best time to visit Petroglyph →More New Mexico Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in New Mexico
Eutrophic Lakes in New Mexico
Where this data comes from
93 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2015–2026. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Pueblo of Sandia Water Quality Program (New Mexico)
SANDIAWQ_WQX93 samples · 2015–2026
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.