El Vado Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids El Vado Lake |
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El Vado Lake, August 2009
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 El Vado Lake
Location in New Mexico
El Vado Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Rio Arriba County, New Mexico |
| Coordinates | 36°36′18″N 106°44′53″W / 36.605°N 106.748°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Catchment area | 492 sq mi (1,270 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 5 mi (8 km) |
| Max. width | 1 mi (2 km) |
| Surface area | 3,200 acres (1,300 ha) |
| Max. depth | 167.1 ft (50.9 m) |
| Water volume | 196,500 acre⋅ft (242,400,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 6,900 ft (2,100 m) |
El Vado Lake is a large, human-made lake, also called a reservoir. You can find it in Rio Arriba County, which is in northern New Mexico in the southwestern United States. This beautiful lake is a popular spot for outdoor fun and adventure.
Discovering El Vado Lake
El Vado Lake was created by building a special wall called a dam across a river. The dam, known as the El Vado Dam, was finished in 1935. It's made of earth and helps to hold back the water from the Rio Chama. The dam is about 642 feet (196 meters) long and 175 feet (53 meters) high.
The lake itself is quite big! It covers about 3,200 acres (13 square kilometers). It stretches for about 5 miles (8 kilometers) in length and is over 1 mile (2 kilometers) wide. El Vado Lake sits high up, at an elevation of about 6,900 feet (2,100 meters) above sea level.
Fun at El Vado Lake State Park
The eastern side of El Vado Lake is home to the El Vado Lake State Park. This park is a fantastic place for families and friends to enjoy nature. It offers more than 100 spots for camping and picnicking, perfect for a day trip or an overnight stay.
If you love being on the water, you're in luck! The park has two improved boat ramps, making it easy to launch your boat. El Vado Lake is a top spot for fishing, especially for salmon and trout. Unlike some other lakes nearby, there are no speed limits for boats here, so you can enjoy all kinds of water sports.
Exploring the Trails
For those who enjoy hiking, there's a cool trail that starts near El Vado Lake. This trail is about 5.5 miles (8.9 kilometers) long. It heads north and takes you across the impressive Rio Chama Gorge. You'll cross the gorge using a special pedestrian suspension bridge, which is a fun experience!
After crossing the bridge, the trail connects to another nearby park, the Heron Lake State Park. This means you can explore even more beautiful New Mexico scenery on your adventure.
