Elephant Butte Lake
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| Elephant Butte Lake | |
|---|---|
| Lake name | Elephant Butte Lake |
| Location | New Mexico, United States |
| Coords | 33.1533°N 107.1833°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Inflow | Rio Grande |
| Outflow | Rio Grande |
| Catchment | 28,900 square miles |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 4,414 feet |
| Max depth | 165 feet |
| Water volume | 2,065,010 acre-feet |
| Shore length | 40 miles |
Elephant Butte Lake is a large Reservoir located in New Mexico, United States, and is part of the Rio Grande basin, which includes the San Juan River, Chama River, and Pecos River. The lake is situated near the city of Truth or Consequences, and is close to the Gila National Forest and the Cibola National Forest. The construction of the lake was overseen by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, with the help of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and was completed in 1916, during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. The lake is also near the Very Large Array, a radio astronomy observatory operated by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
Geography
The geography of the area surrounding the lake is characterized by the presence of the Rio Grande Rift, a zone of extensional tectonic activity that has shaped the region over millions of years, including the formation of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Jemez Mountains. The lake is situated in a valley surrounded by the Black Range and the Caballo Mountains, and is close to the City of Rocks State Park and the Percha Dam State Park. The lake's shoreline stretches for approximately 40 miles, and its surface elevation is around 4,414 feet above sea level, which is similar to the elevation of the nearby Elephant Butte Dam and the Cochiti Dam. The lake is also near the Socorro and the Albuquerque areas, which are home to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and the University of New Mexico.
History
The history of the lake dates back to the early 20th century, when the United States Bureau of Reclamation began constructing the Elephant Butte Dam on the Rio Grande, with the help of the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the New Mexico State Legislature. The dam was completed in 1916, during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson, and was the largest dam in the world at the time, surpassing the Aswan Dam and the Hoover Dam. The construction of the dam and the lake was a major engineering feat, and was overseen by notable figures such as Theodore Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover, who were both involved in the development of the Rio Grande Project. The lake was named after a nearby rock formation that resembled an elephant, which was a notable landmark for the Apache and Comanche tribes, as well as for early Spanish explorers, including Francisco Vásquez de Coronado and Juan de Oñate.
Hydrology
The hydrology of the lake is closely tied to the Rio Grande, which is the primary source of water for the lake, as well as for the brackish Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and the Rio Grande Nature Center. The lake's water level is regulated by the Elephant Butte Dam, which is operated by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, in cooperation with the International Boundary and Water Commission and the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer. The lake's water is used for Irrigation and Hydroelectric power generation, and is also an important source of water for the cities of Albuquerque and Las Cruces, as well as for the Hatch and Deming areas. The lake is also connected to the Rio Grande Canal, which provides water to the Mesilla Valley and the Hatch Valley.
Recreation
The lake is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, including Boating, Fishing, and Swimming, and is also a popular spot for Birdwatching and Hiking, with many trails in the surrounding Black Range and Caballo Mountains. The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and Channel catfish, and is also a popular spot for Water skiing and Wakeboarding. The lake is managed by the New Mexico State Parks division, in cooperation with the United States Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service, and offers a range of amenities, including Camping facilities, Picnic areas, and Boat launch ramps. The lake is also near the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and the City of Rocks State Park, which offer additional opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Ecology
The ecology of the lake is diverse and complex, with a wide range of plant and animal species, including the Rio Grande cottonwood and the Desert willow, as well as the Great blue heron and the American white pelican. The lake is an important stopover point for migratory birds, including the Sandhill crane and the Canada goose, and is also home to a variety of fish species, including the Rio Grande silvery minnow and the Gila trout. The lake's ecosystem is closely tied to the Rio Grande and the surrounding landscape, and is influenced by a range of factors, including Climate change, Invasive species, and Water pollution, which are monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the New Mexico Environment Department. The lake is also near the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and the Rio Grande Nature Center, which provide additional habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species.
Management
The management of the lake is a complex and multifaceted process, involving a range of stakeholders, including the United States Bureau of Reclamation, the New Mexico State Parks division, and the International Boundary and Water Commission. The lake's water level is regulated by the Elephant Butte Dam, which is operated by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, in cooperation with the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The lake is also subject to a range of environmental regulations, including the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, which are enforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the New Mexico Environment Department. The lake's management is also influenced by a range of other factors, including Climate change, Invasive species, and Water pollution, which are monitored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United States Geological Survey.
Category:Lakes of New Mexico