The State of New Mexico's Lakes 2026

Cleanest lakes in New Mexico

Cleanest combined nutrient and algae readings, 2026.

1. 1.Mescalero Lake Deep — Otero County50 µg/L P · 1 µg/L chl-a
2. 2.Mescalero Lake Shallow — Otero County50 µg/L P · 2 µg/L chl-a
3. 3.Silver Lake Deep — Otero County50 µg/L P · 1 µg/L chl-a
4. 4.Silver Lake Shallow — Otero County50 µg/L P · 2 µg/L chl-a

Highest measured algae

Highest measured chlorophyll-a (algae) concentration.

1. 1.Six Mile Dam Lake — Eddy County110 µg/L chlorophyll-a
2. 2.Jal Lake — Lea County62 µg/L chlorophyll-a
3. 3.Hopewell Lake — Rio Arriba County53 µg/L chlorophyll-a
4. 4.Lake Roberts — Grant County41 µg/L chlorophyll-a
5. 5.Caballo Lake — Sierra County37 µg/L chlorophyll-a
6. 6.Burns Lake Deep — Rio Arriba County24 µg/L chlorophyll-a
7. 7.Brantley Reservoir Deep — Eddy County21 µg/L chlorophyll-a
8. 8.Elephant Butte Reservoir — Sierra County21 µg/L chlorophyll-a

Trending lakes

Improving

1. 1.Heron Lake Deep Dam — Rio Arriba County
2. 2.Grindstone Canyon Reservoir Deep — Lincoln County
3. 3.Heron Lake Shallow — Rio Arriba County
4. 4.Silver Lake Deep — Otero County
5. 5.Alto Lake — Lincoln County
6. 6.Silver Lake Shallow — Otero County
7. 7.Grindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet — Lincoln County
8. 8.Caballo Lake — Sierra County

Declining

1. 1.Hopewell Lake — Rio Arriba County
2. 2.E Butte Lake — Sierra County
3. 3.Mescalero Lake Deep — Otero County
4. 4.Mescalero Lake Shallow — Otero County
5. 5.Abiquiu Reservoir Chama R Inlet — Rio Arriba County
6. 6.Conchas Reservoir — San Miguel County
7. 7.Santa Rosa L Dp Sta Midchannel Buoy Lake — Guadalupe County
8. 8.Burns Lake Deep — Rio Arriba County