NEW-MEXICO RESERVOIR REPORT

Last Updated: December 26, 2025

In New Mexico, the status of major dams and reservoirs is a point of interest due to their importance in water storage and supply. The latest observations from December 26, 2025, reveal varied conditions across different sites. The Ute Reservoir near Logan shows a slight increase in water surface elevation above the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88) at 3787 feet, compared to the average of 3780.5 feet, signaling a marginally higher than normal water level. Conversely, the Costilla Reservoir near Costilla reports a notably lower gage height at 57 feet, a significant deviation from its average of 74.32 feet. This suggests a reduced water level which could impact water availability in the area. The Nambe Falls Reservoir near Nambe and Bluewater Lake near Bluewater are close to their average water surface elevations above the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29), at 6823 and 7368 feet respectively, indicating relatively normal conditions for these reservoirs.

Abnormal conditions, such as those at the Costilla Reservoir, can often be attributed to factors like variable snowpack levels and river flows. In the absence of adequate snowpack, reservoirs may not receive the expected runoff during melting seasons, leading to lower storage levels. On the other hand, the Ute Reservoir's higher levels could be due to recent precipitation events or controlled releases from upstream facilities. It is crucial to cross-reference these observations with additional data sources, such as local meteorological data and snowpack measurements, to confirm the causes of these conditions. However, given the lack of provided source data, further analysis is limited. The current situation at Costilla Reservoir warrants monitoring, as sustained lower levels could necessitate water use restrictions or affect local ecosystems, while the slight elevation at Ute Reservoir suggests that, for now, water supply remains stable or has benefited from recent inflow.

New Mexico has several major reservoirs and dams, including Elephant Butte, Navajo, and Conchas. These reservoirs are fed by streams, rivers, and creeks that originate in the surrounding mountains, including the Rio Grande, San Juan, and Pecos Rivers. Snowpack in these mountains plays a crucial role in providing water to the reservoirs, with the winter months typically being the most important for snow accumulation. Record low levels in several reservoirs have been observed in recent years due to prolonged drought conditions in the state, leading to water shortages for agriculture and urban areas. Seasonal trends also play a significant role in reservoir levels, with typically higher levels in the spring and summer months due to snowmelt and increased precipitation. Overall, water management and conservation are critical in New Mexico, and efforts are being made to improve infrastructure and increase storage capacity to better manage the state's water resources in the face of changing climate conditions.

New Mexico has several major reservoirs and dams, including Elephant Butte, Navajo, and Conchas. These reservoirs are fed by streams, rivers, and creeks that originate in the surrounding mountains, including the Rio Grande, San Juan, and Pecos Rivers. Snowpack in these mountains plays a crucial role in providing water to the reservoirs, with the winter months typically being the most important for snow accumulation.

Record low levels in several reservoirs have been observed in recent years due to prolonged drought conditions in the state, leading to water shortages for agriculture and urban areas. Seasonal trends also play a significant role in reservoir levels, with typically higher levels in the spring and summer months due to snowmelt and increased precipitation.

Overall, water management and conservation are critical in New Mexico, and efforts are being made to improve infrastructure and increase storage capacity to better manage the state's water resources in the face of changing climate conditions.