El Vado Lake
RESERVOIR REPORT
September 22 20232,293 acre-ft
-0.3% today3% of Normal • Very Low
Water storage levels at El Vado Lake are currently 2,293 acre-ft, about 3% of normal. The average for this time of year is approximately 93,295.42acre-ft. Maximum recorded Storage since record keeping began in 1974 was 1986-06-26 when levels reached 190,261 acre-ft. Lowest recorded Storage was 2023-04-15 when levels receded to 899 acre-ft. View historical levels.
El Vado Lake is a reservoir located in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. The lake was created in 1935 by the El Vado Dam on the Rio Chama, which is a tributary of the Rio Grande. The hydrology of the lake is primarily sourced by the Rio Chama and its tributaries, as well as snowpack from the surrounding mountains. The lake is used for both agricultural and recreational purposes, including fishing, boating, camping, and hiking. The area surrounding the lake was once inhabited by the Pueblo people, and later became a hub for Spanish colonization. Today, the lake is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, with numerous amenities and facilities available for visitors.

Geolocation | -106.737, 36.595 |
Elevation | 6,900 ft |
Storage 24hr Change | -0.3% |
Percent of Normal | 3% |
Minimum |
899 acre-ft
2023-04-15 |
Maximum |
190,261 acre-ft
1986-06-26 |
Average | 93,295 acre-ft |
AREA SURFACE FLOWS
Streamgauge | Streamflow | Stage |
---|---|---|
RIO CHAMA NEAR CHAMITA | 1,040 cfs | 5.1 ft |
SAN JUAN RIVER AT PAGOSA SPRINGS | 69 cfs | 3.6 ft |
SAN JUAN RIVER NEAR CARRACAS | 124 cfs | 2.2 ft |
RIO GRANDE AT OTOWI BRIDGE | 1,330 cfs | 4.2 ft |
CONEJOS RIVER NEAR MOGOTE | 104 cfs | 2.2 ft |
NAVAJO RIVER BL OSO DIVERSION DAM NR CHROMO | 41 cfs | 1.2 ft |
RIO CHAMA BELOW EL VADO DAM | 93 cfs | 2.0 ft |