MEDIA ADVISORY:<\/p>\n
August 3, 2026<\/p>\n
Low water levels close multiple boat ramps at state parks<\/p>\n
SANTA FE, N.M. \u2013 New Mexico State Parks is advising visitors of multiple boat ramp closures across the state due to historically low water levels and ongoing water management operations.<\/p>\n
The main boat ramp at Elephant Butte is now closed as the reservoir sits at approximately 1.4% capacity. Receding and evaporating water has created new hazards and made traditional boat launching unsafe. The park remains open for boating, camping, shoreline recreation, paddling, and hiking, but boaters should expect significant changes in lake conditions.<\/p>\n
Other Statewide Impact<\/p>\n
Low reservoir levels and scheduled water releases are also affecting boating access at several additional parks:<\/p>\n
Heron Lake State Park: Boat ramps closed due to extremely low water.
\nSanta Rosa Lake State Park: A recent water release dropped the reservoir from ~40% to ~3% capacity, the boat ramp is closed.
\nEl Vado Lake State Park: Boating access is limited; with imminent ramp closure expected.
\nClayton Lake & Dinosaur Trackways State Park: Main ramp closed due to low water levels.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are seeing at Elephant Butte is significant, but our responsibility remains the same; keep people safe, protect the resources entrusted to our care and help visitors understand how they can continue to enjoy their state parks,\u201d said Toby Vel\u00e1squez, director of the New Mexico State Parks Division. \u201cConditions are changing quickly, and our teams are adapting right alongside them.\u201d<\/p>\n
State Parks continues to monitor conditions and will adjust operations as needed for public safety. Visitors should be aware that a closed boat ramp does not mean the park is closed\u2014many recreation opportunities remain available.<\/p>\n
Boater Safety Reminder
\nBoaters who choose to enter the water should expect newly exposed hazards, shallow areas, and narrow channels. Visitors are urged to:<\/p>\n
Wear a properly fitted life jacket.
\nReduce speed and stay within marked channels.
\nWatch for submerged trees, rocks and debris.
\nUse caution near shorelines and unfamiliar areas.
\nCheck current conditions before traveling.
\nTowed watersports are strongly discouraged at this time due to hazards and limited navigable areas.<\/p>\n
Know Before You Go
\nVisitors should check current alerts and lake conditions before visiting any New Mexico State Park:<\/p>\n
Lake conditions dashboard: https:\/\/www.emnrd.nm.gov\/spd\/blog\/2026\/07\/29\/current-lake-conditions-across-state-parks\/
\nFAQs: www.emnrd.nm.gov\/spd\/know-before-you-go-faqs\/<\/p>\n
For park updates, contact New Mexico State Parks at 1-888-NM-PARKS<\/p>\n
Contact:
\nDiego Mu\u00f1oz
\nPublic Information Officer, New Mexico State Parks Division
\nDiego.munoz@emnrd.nm.gov
\n505-819-1785<\/p>\n
Shannon Nelson
\nPublic Affairs Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation
\nshannon_nelson@ios.doi.gov
\n505-462-3576<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MEDIA ADVISORY: August 3, 2026 Low water levels close multiple boat ramps at state parks SANTA FE, N.M. \u2013 New Mexico State Parks is advising visitors of multiple boat ramp closures across the state due to historically low water levels and ongoing water management operations. The main boat ramp at Elephant Butte is now closed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":77,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"MEDIA ADVISORY:\r\n\r\nAugust 3, 2026\r\n\r\nLow water levels close multiple boat ramps at state parks\r\n\r\nSANTA FE, N.M. \u2013 New Mexico State Parks is advising visitors of multiple boat ramp closures across the state due to historically low water levels and ongoing water management operations.\r\n\r\nThe main boat ramp at Elephant Butte is now closed as the reservoir sits at approximately 1.4% capacity. Receding and evaporating water has created new hazards and made traditional boat launching unsafe. The park remains open for boating, camping, shoreline recreation, paddling, and hiking, but boaters should expect significant changes in lake conditions.\r\n\r\nOther Statewide Impact\r\n\r\nLow reservoir levels and scheduled water releases are also affecting boating access at several additional parks:\r\n\r\nHeron Lake State Park: Boat ramps closed due to extremely low water.\r\nSanta Rosa Lake State Park: A recent water release dropped the reservoir from ~40% to ~3% capacity, the boat ramp is closed. \r\nEl Vado Lake State Park: Boating access is limited; with imminent ramp closure expected.\r\nClayton Lake & Dinosaur Trackways State Park: Main ramp closed due to low water levels.\r\n\r\n\u201cWhat we are seeing at Elephant Butte is significant, but our responsibility remains the same; keep people safe, protect the resources entrusted to our care and help visitors understand how they can continue to enjoy their state parks,\u201d said Toby Vel\u00e1squez, director of the New Mexico State Parks Division. \u201cConditions are changing quickly, and our teams are adapting right alongside them.\u201d\r\n\r\nState Parks continues to monitor conditions and will adjust operations as needed for public safety. Visitors should be aware that a closed boat ramp does not mean the park is closed\u2014many recreation opportunities remain available.\r\n\r\nBoater Safety Reminder\r\nBoaters who choose to enter the water should expect newly exposed hazards, shallow areas, and narrow channels. Visitors are urged to:\r\n\r\nWear a properly fitted life jacket.\r\nReduce speed and stay within marked channels.\r\nWatch for submerged trees, rocks and debris.\r\nUse caution near shorelines and unfamiliar areas.\r\nCheck current conditions before traveling.\r\nTowed watersports are strongly discouraged at this time due to hazards and limited navigable areas.\r\n\r\nKnow Before You Go\r\nVisitors should check current alerts and lake conditions before visiting any New Mexico State Park:\r\n\r\nLake conditions dashboard: https:\/\/www.emnrd.nm.gov\/spd\/blog\/2026\/07\/29\/current-lake-conditions-across-state-parks\/\r\nFAQs: www.emnrd.nm.gov\/spd\/know-before-you-go-faqs\/\r\n\r\n\r\nFor park updates, contact New Mexico State Parks at 1-888-NM-PARKS\r\n\r\nContact:\r\nDiego Mu\u00f1oz\r\nPublic Information Officer, New Mexico State Parks Division\r\nDiego.munoz@emnrd.nm.gov\r\n505-819-1785\r\n\r\nShannon Nelson\r\nPublic Affairs Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation\r\nshannon_nelson@ios.doi.gov\r\n505-462-3576","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23,34,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-communications","category-elephant-butte-lake-state-park","category-media-advisory"],"yoast_head":"\n