COCHITI LAKE, N.M. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, announced today that some of the day-use areas at the lake – including the Cochiti swim beach – are closed due to high water levels.
While the Santa Cruz road and day-use area on the Tetilla side of the lake are still open, rising water levels may necessitate their closure. For the current status of the Santa Cruz road and day-use area, please call the Cochiti Lake project office Monday through Friday at 505-465-0307.
For public safety purposes, the vault toilets near the shoreline are being prepared for possible inundation. This means that they will be pumped, cleaned, closed, and locked. Toilet facilities will continue to be available at the overlooks, both boat ramps, and the campground areas on both sides of the lake.
The rest of the lake’s recreation areas are open, including the boat ramps on both sides of the lake, the campgrounds, and the day-use picnic loop on the Cochiti side of the lake. Fishing from shore can best be accessed by the boat ramps.
The day-use areas that are closed will reopen once the water level goes down. At this point, the Albuquerque District anticipates reopening these day-use areas in early to mid-June; the exact date is dependent on the lake conditions.
Boaters should be aware there is increased woody debris in the lake, and the water is muddy from the spring runoff coming into the lake.
While the lake elevation is higher than usual, it is well within the dam’s capacity, and the dam is performing as intended.
For more information on current releases from Cochiti Dam, visit: http://w3.spa.usace.army.mil/wc/htmlrpts/CorpsResSum.htm and/or https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Media/RioGrande/
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