The State of New Mexico's Lakes 2026

Cleanest lakes in New Mexico

Highest combined water-quality score, 2026.

1. 1.CMescalero Lake Deep — Otero County50 µg/L P · 1 µg/L chl-a
2. 2.CMescalero Lake Shallow — Otero County50 µg/L P · 2 µg/L chl-a
3. 3.CSilver Lake Deep — Otero County50 µg/L P · 1 µg/L chl-a
4. 4.DSilver Lake Shallow — Otero County50 µg/L P · 2 µg/L chl-a

Most-polluted lakes

Lowest combined water-quality score among monitored lakes.

1. 1.DSilver Lake Shallow — Otero County50 µg/L P · 2 µg/L chl-a
2. 2.CMescalero Lake Deep — Otero County50 µg/L P · 1 µg/L chl-a
3. 3.CMescalero Lake Shallow — Otero County50 µg/L P · 2 µg/L chl-a
4. 4.CSilver Lake Deep — Otero County50 µg/L P · 1 µg/L chl-a

Worst algae hotspots

Highest measured chlorophyll-a (algae) concentration.

1. 1.NRSix Mile Dam Lake — Eddy County110 µg/L chlorophyll-a
2. 2.NRJal Lake — Lea County62 µg/L chlorophyll-a
3. 3.FHopewell Lake — Rio Arriba County53 µg/L chlorophyll-a
4. 4.NRLake Roberts — Grant County41 µg/L chlorophyll-a
5. 5.FCaballo Lake — Sierra County37 µg/L chlorophyll-a
6. 6.NRBurns Lake Deep — Rio Arriba County24 µg/L chlorophyll-a
7. 7.NRBrantley Reservoir Deep — Eddy County21 µg/L chlorophyll-a
8. 8.NRElephant Butte Reservoir — Sierra County21 µg/L chlorophyll-a

Trending lakes

Improving

1. 1.CHeron Lake Deep Dam — Rio Arriba County
2. 2.CGrindstone Canyon Reservoir Deep — Lincoln County
3. 3.CHeron Lake Shallow — Rio Arriba County
4. 4.CSilver Lake Deep — Otero County
5. 5.DAlto Lake — Lincoln County
6. 6.DSilver Lake Shallow — Otero County
7. 7.DGrindstone Caynon Reservoir Inlet — Lincoln County
8. 8.FCaballo Lake — Sierra County

Declining

1. 1.FHopewell Lake — Rio Arriba County
2. 2.DE Butte Lake — Sierra County
3. 3.CMescalero Lake Deep — Otero County
4. 4.CMescalero Lake Shallow — Otero County
5. 5.AAbiquiu Reservoir Chama R Inlet — Rio Arriba County
6. 6.AConchas Reservoir — San Miguel County
7. 7.ASanta Rosa L Dp Sta Midchannel Buoy Lake — Guadalupe County
8. 8.NRBurns Lake Deep — Rio Arriba County