Eagle Nest Lake water level — New Mexico
Eagle Nest Lake in New Mexico was last measured at 8,160.53 ft (datum NGVD29), as of Aug 31, 2026, 2:00 AM (UTC-06:00) (USGS Water Services). Over its recent trend window the level has been falling (−1.7 ft). This reading is provisional and subject to revision.
- % of conservation pool full
- Not reported
- Storage
- 21,490 acre-ft
- Recent trend
- ↓Falling
−1.7 ft over the trend window
Recent trend
Readings this station published between Jun 2, 2026 and Aug 31, 2026 — a 89-day window — downsampled for display.
Data: USGS Water Services (waterservices.usgs.gov) and USACE CWMS Data (cwms-data.usace.army.mil), retrieved 2026-08-31. Both public domain (a work of the U.S. Government, 17 U.S.C. §105).
Source: USGS site 07205500, retrieved Aug 31, 2026, 8:24 AM (UTC+00:00). Official page for this lake →
About this gauge's record
This site's drainage basin covers approximately 167 sq mi of contributing watershed.
The dam behind Eagle Nest Lake
Eagle Nest Lake is held back by Eagle Nest Dam , a concrete arch, curved upstream so the load is carried sideways into the abutments , standing 142 ft high and running 400 ft along its crest , built across CIMARRON RIVER in Colfax County , near UNINCORPORATED RESIDENTS . It was completed in 1918 , and is owned by NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH (a state owner) .
Its recorded primary purpose is irrigation — the pool is drawn down across the growing season to serve water rights downstream, then refilled over winter . It also serves irrigation;recreation.
It is founded on rock, with a concrete core. Its spillway is ungated: once the pool reaches the crest, water leaves on its own and the operator cannot hold it back. The spillway opening is 40 ft wide. Its outlet works use slide (sluice gate)0.
NID classes it high hazard potential. That describes what a failure would cost downstream — loss of life would be expected — and says nothing about how likely a failure is, or what condition the dam is in. Its most recent condition assessment was poor — a deficiency was recognised that needs attention. That assessment is dated 06/04/2024.
At its normal pool the reservoir covers about 2,496 acres. NID records a maximum storage of 98,400 acre-ft against a normal storage of 81,000 acre-ft. Its maximum discharge capacity is 1,990 cubic feet per second. It is regulated by OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER.
Dam facts: National Inventory of Dams record NM00351 , filed by New Mexico — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, public domain. Water levels above come from USGS Water Services and are a separate source. (How this dam was matched to this gauge →)
How Eagle Nest Lake compares nearby
4 of 5 nearby lakes with a current trend are also falling right now.
Nearby lakes
The six nearest published lakes by centroid distance (great-circle) — cross-state neighbors included.
| Lake | State | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costilla Reservoir | NM | — | 39 km |
| Trinidad Lake | CO | 6,171.72 ft | 91 km |
| Lake Maloya | NM | 7,509.01 ft | 91 km |
| Nambe Falls Reservoir | NM | 6,808.72 ft | 98 km |
| Mcclure Reservoir | NM | 7,834.23 ft | 109 km |
| Nichols Reservoir | NM | 7,474.60 ft | 110 km |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the current water level of Eagle Nest Lake?
- As of Aug 31, 2026, 2:00 AM (UTC-06:00), the pool elevation was 8,160.53 ft (datum NGVD29), provisional and subject to revision. See the trend chart above for the recent direction.
- Is Eagle Nest Lake full right now?
- Its managing agency does not publish a %-of-conservation-pool-full figure for this lake, so we show the bare level rather than estimate one.
- Where does this data come from?
- From USGS site 07205500, retrieved Aug 31, 2026, 8:24 AM (UTC+00:00).
More in New Mexico
See every lake tracked in New Mexico, or read the methodology behind these figures.