COCHITI LAKE, N.M. – Due to the existing high-water levels, the day use recreation areas on the Cochiti side of the lake will remain closed for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. This includes the Swim Beach.
“We are working to have it open soon,” said Trevor Wallin, Cochiti Lake Operations Project Manager. “The water is receding, and we are working feverishly to get things in a clean and serviceable status so folks can come out and enjoy the lake.”
The Cochiti Boat Ramp, Picnic Loop, and Campground remain open, and visitors can still launch boats and paddle craft. Visitors are asked to use caution around inundated infrastructure marked with orange hazard buoys.
When the water has receded enough to safely reopen the affected recreation areas it will be posted on the USACE-Albuquerque District’s website under the “Cochiti Lake” tab at: https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Updates/ and on the lake’s official Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/USACE.Cochiti.Lake
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages releases from Cochiti Dam in order to minimize flooding along the Rio Grande downstream. Due to a high spring runoff this year, water levels at Cochiti Reservoir are higher than they have been in the past few years.
As a reminder, all camping at Cochiti Lake is by reservation only. To make reservations please visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 to speak to a reservation specialist.
The current status of recreation at all of the USACE-Albuquerque District’s lakes can be viewed online at https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Updates/
-30-
Release no. 23-009