Low Water Levels at Eagle Nest Lake: What Boaters Need to Know

Due to ongoing dry conditions and declining water levels, the park is facing some serious operational challenges that could impact your next launch.

The Situation: Dropping Levels and Disappearing Docks

The impact of the low water levels is already visible on the shoreline. State park officials have already removed one of the courtesy docks from the water to prevent it from becoming damaged or stranded on the dry lakebed.

While the main boat ramp remains open for now, its future over the coming weeks is up in the air.

Monitoring the Boat Ramp

Park staff are closely monitoring the water line as it creeps closer to a critical threshold: the end of the concrete boat ramp. If the water drops below the concrete edge, launching a boat becomes a major safety hazard for both your vehicle and your watercraft. If the water levels reach this point, the boat ramp may have to be closed temporarily.

What Happens Next?

If a closure happens, it won’t necessarily be permanent, but it will require some patience from the community. State Parks is currently evaluating two potential solutions if the water recedes past the concrete:

• Temporary Extension: Installing temporary matting or materials to allow safe launching while water levels remain low.

• Permanent Extension: Undertaking a larger construction project to extend the concrete ramp further into the lakebed to future-proof the launch site against dry spells.

Tips for Boaters and Visitors

If you are heading to Eagle Nest Lake in the near future, here is how you can prepare:

1. Check Before You Haul: Check the Eagle Nest Lake State Park official state park website for any updates or closures.

2. Expect Delays: With one less courtesy dock available, staging and launching your boat might take a little longer than usual.

3. Check Your Clearances: Be extra cautious when backing down the ramp, and keep an eye out for newly exposed hazards or shallow spots in the lake.

   
   

A Note on Conservation: 

The dropping water line is a direct result of ongoing regional drought. Low water levels put immense stress on the lake’s ecosystem, making conservation and smart water stewardship more critical than ever. We all need to do our part to conserve water and protect the resources we have left.

If you are out on the lake, you can help protect the fishery by practicing careful catch and release wetting your hands, handling fish minimally, and reviving them fully before release or selective harvesting practices.

At the same time, we believe protecting Eagle Nest Lake means managing all of its incredible sport fish sustainably. Northern Pike are a massive draw for anglers and a vital part of a world class, multi species fishery. We are actively fighting for a future that allows sustainable, catch and release or slot rule pike fishing here.  

Want to help us protect this fishery? 

👉 [Click here to sign our petition] to revise the current regulations and Save the Pike in Eagle Nest Lake!

We will keep you updated as more information becomes available from New Mexico State Parks.