Abiquiu Lake is a reservoir located in Rio Arriba County, in northern New Mexico in the southwestern United States. Water of the Rio Chama is impounded by the earth-filled Abiquiu Dam, 1,800 feet (550 m) long and 340 feet (100 m) high, completed in 1963 and raised in 1986. The 5,200-acre (21 km2) lake is over 12 miles (19 km) long, and lies at elevations of 6,100–6,220 feet (1,859–1,896 m).[2]

Abiquiu Lake
A lake surrounded by hills and mountains
View north from Cerro Pedernal
Location of Abiquiu Lake in New Mexico, USA.
Location of Abiquiu Lake in New Mexico, USA.
Abiquiu Lake
Location of Abiquiu Lake in New Mexico, USA.
Location of Abiquiu Lake in New Mexico, USA.
Abiquiu Lake
LocationRio Arriba County, New Mexico
Coordinates36°14′24″N 106°25′52″W / 36.240°N 106.431°W / 36.240; -106.431
Typereservoir
Primary inflowsRio Chama
Primary outflowsRio Chama
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length12 mi (19 km)
Surface area5,200 acres (2,100 ha)
Water volume647,017 acre⋅ft (0.798084 km3) (conservation)
1,192,801 acre⋅ft (1.471298 km3) (flood control)
Surface elevation6,184 ft (1,885 m)[1]

The shoreline area near the dam is a recreation area managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Available activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, swimming, boating, and fishing.

Panoramic view of Abiquiu Lake in the summer of 2021, with water level so low the lake doesn't reach the dam (right)

References

edit
  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Abiquiu Reservoir
  2. ^ "Abiquiu Lake Morning Report", web: 155-wc Archived May 23, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. May 22, 2014.
edit