SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO
Elephant Butte closes boat ramp, waives camping fees
As the lake sits at just 1.4% capacity amid historic drought, New Mexico State Parks extends camping stays to 14 days and eliminates fees through September
Weeks after Elephant Butte Lake dropped to 1.4% of its capacity, New Mexico State Parks closed the lake鈥檚 main boat ramp.
The division also increased the maximum stay limit from seven to 14 consecutive days and waived fees at camping areas.
鈥淓xtending camping stays gives visitors more flexibility to explore their state parks and experience all that the surrounding communities have to offer,鈥� said Toby Vel谩squez, director of the New Mexico State Parks Division.
Through Sept. 30, all designated primitive and beach camping areas will be available at no cost. The camping stay limit remains through April 30, 2027.
鈥淒rought is changing the way New Mexicans and other visitors experience their state parks, but it doesn鈥檛 change our commitment to keeping these places accessible and welcoming,鈥� Vel谩squez said.
State parks announced this week that the main boat ramp at Elephant Butte Lake was closed because receding and evaporating water created new hazards and made traditional boat launching unsafe.
鈥淭he temporary closure of the boat ramp is certainly an inconvenience, but it鈥檚 not the end of recreation at Elephant Butte,鈥� said state Rep. Rebecca Dow, R-Truth or Consequences.
State park officials said the park remains open for boating, camping, shoreline recreation and hiking.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the State Parks Division鈥檚 decision to extend camping stay limits and waive primitive camping fees at Elephant Butte,鈥� Dow said. 鈥淣ow that the water release has ended, the beach areas provide a great opportunity for people to continue to visit and enjoy everything Sierra County has to offer.鈥�
Elephant Butte Mayor Richard Holcomb said Sierra County business owners are grateful for the extended stays and eliminated park fees during 鈥渢hese trying times of low water at the lake.鈥�
Elephant Butte has long been an important recreation destination and economic anchor for Sierra County and southern New Mexico.
鈥淔or decades, the citizens of Elephant Butte have been screaming from the rooftops about concerns about the declining water levels,鈥� Dow said. 鈥淢ost people dismissed it, saying this is a reservoir for irrigation and not recreational. But now the water鈥檚 gone and there are no reserves.鈥�
The lake has experienced historically low water levels for weeks.
This year has been especially challenging due to a historic drought combined with low snowpack, according to state officials. At this time last year, water levels were at 4.4% of capacity.
Last month, state parks reported low water levels and exposed debris that was more than 50 years old, including beer cans, old tires and other hazardous materials. State parks had to use heavy machinery to help with the cleaning.
鈥淭he main thing that everybody has to understand is that this is not just an Elephant Butte Lake issue,鈥� Holcomb said. 鈥淲ater is going down everywhere and the only thing that really helps us resolve that problem is to get our snowpack back up in the mountains.鈥�
With a strong El Ni帽o forecast by the National Weather Service, experts predict fall and winter precipitation may be above normal in the central and eastern portions of the state, helping drought conditions.
Karmina Conde is a news reporter for the Journal. You can reach her at kconderuiz@abqjournal.com
