USACE-Albuquerque District to expand phased reopening of lakes

Published May 29, 2020

ALBUQUERQUE, NMThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District announced May 29, 2020, that two USACE-managed lakes in New Mexico have begun a phased reopening, and the boat ramp at Abiquiu Lake will be open as of May 30. See below for lake-specific information.

USACE-Albuquerque District-managed campgrounds remain closed and are scheduled to reopen at a later date.

USACE-Albuquerque District recreation actions are being coordinated with New Mexico State Parks (NMSP) as well as Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW). USACE will not precede state actions. At lakes with shared recreation management, such as Conchas and Santa Rosa (in New Mexico), the USACE-managed areas are reopening in conjunction with the NMSP-managed recreation areas.

State guidelines regarding COVID-19 (such as social distancing and the use of face masks) apply while visiting USACE-managed recreation areas.

For information about lake operations and recreation statuses at Abiquiu, Conchas, Cochiti, John Martin, Santa Rosa, and Trinidad lakes, visit:

http://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Updates/

 

ABIQUIU LAKE, NM

The boat ramp at Abiquiu Lake will reopen May 30, 2020. The public is required to bring their own life jackets as the Loaner Life Jacket program is currently not in operation.

The boat ramp will be open for motorized traffic. All New Mexico State rules related to Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) will be adhered to, and staff will be monitoring for compliance.

Other day use recreation areas that are open include the Cerrito Day Use Area; the Overlook Day Use Area, including picnic areas; and the downstream Rio Chama Day Use Area.

The main office/visitor center is open for phone calls, but is closed for public walk-ins at this time.

Day use fees have been waived until October 1, 2020. Normally, these fees are collected at Abiquiu from April 15 through October 15.

 

COCHITI LAKE, NM

At this time, Cochiti Lake remains closed until further notice. The visitor center, campgrounds, day-use areas, boat ramp, swim areas, fishing areas, and walking trails are closed to the public. The main office is open for phone calls, but closed for public walk-ins at this time.

 

CONCHAS LAKE, N.M.

USACE-managed day use recreation areas that are scheduled to reopen May 30, 2020, include the South Recreation Area, which contains the boat ramp and picnic areas; the Juniper Day Use Area, and the Captain Kramer Day Use Area.

The public is required to bring their own life jackets as the Loaner Life Jacket program is currently not in operation.

The boat ramp will be open for motorized traffic. All New Mexico State rules related to Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) will be adhered to, and staff will be monitoring for compliance.

The South Campground remains closed at this time. The main office and visitor center are open for phone calls, but closed for public walk-ins.

Day use fees have been waived until October 1, 2020.

For information on NMSP-managed recreation areas, go to: http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/

 

SANTA ROSA LAKE, N.M.

USACE-managed day use recreation areas scheduled to reopen May 30, 2020, include the Overlook Day Use area, hiking trails, and picnic areas. The main office and visitor center are open for phone calls, but closed for public walk-ins.

The public is required to bring their own life jackets as the Loaner Life Jacket program is currently not in operation.

The boat ramp will be open for motorized traffic. All New Mexico State rules related to Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) will be adhered to, and staff will be monitoring for compliance.

For information on NMSP-managed recreation areas, go to: http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/

 

JOHN MARTIN RESERVOIR, Colorado

USACE-managed day use recreation areas are currently open and include the Disc Golf Course and the Petroglyphs.

The USACE main office and visitor center are open for phone calls, but closed for public walk-ins at this time.

CPW Campgrounds began to reopen May 14, 2020, launching a phased reopening that will occur across the park system in coordination with park managers and local officials.

For information on CPW-managed recreation areas, go to:

https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/COVID-19-Response.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3Mx-TryPAHo6GwPvuAyo30k5PJFnRZw7g8EzLz-_diZtneVv0TkhLJTFQ

 

TRINIDAD LAKE, Colorado

The USACE main office and visitor center are open for phone calls, but closed for public walk-ins at this time.

CPW Campgrounds began to reopen May 14, 2020, launching a phased reopening that will occur across the park system in coordination with park managers and local officials.

For information on CPW-managed recreation areas, go to:

https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/COVID-19-Response.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3Mx-TryPAHo6GwPvuAyo30k5PJFnRZw7g8EzLz-_diZtneVv0TkhLJTFQ

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Release no. 20-034