Heron Lake (New Mexico) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heron Lake |
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 Heron Lake
Location in New Mexico
Heron Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Rio Arriba County, New Mexico |
| Coordinates | 36°41′N 106°41′W / 36.69°N 106.69°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 4 mi (6 km) |
| Max. width | 3 mi (5 km) |
| Surface area | 5,900 acres (24 km2) |
| Water volume | 401,000 acre-feet (495,000,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 7,186 feet (2,190 m) |
Heron Lake is a large reservoir (a human-made lake) located in northern New Mexico, in a place called Rio Arriba County. It's an important part of a big water project called the San Juan-Chama Project. This project moves water from the San Juan River through a long tunnel. This tunnel, called the Azotea Tunnel, is about 12.8 miles (20.6 km) long. It even goes under the Continental Divide, which is like a mountain ridge that separates rivers flowing to different oceans! The water then flows into Willow Creek and the Rio Chama, eventually reaching the Rio Grande.
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Heron Dam: Building the Lake
Heron Lake was created by building a large structure called Heron Dam. This dam helps to hold back the water and form the lake. The dam is about 1,250 feet (380 m) long and 263 feet (80 m) high. It was finished in 1971.
The lake itself is quite big, covering about 5,900 acres (24 square kilometers). It stretches for about 4 miles (6.4 km) long and 3 miles (4.8 km) wide. Heron Lake sits at a high elevation, around 7,186 feet (2,190 m) above sea level. The United States Bureau of Reclamation owns and operates Heron Dam. They are responsible for managing the water and the dam's operations.
Fun at Heron Lake State Park
The southern side of Heron Lake is home to Heron Lake State Park. This park is a great place for outdoor activities and offers many things to do.
Camping and Picnics
The state park has more than 200 sites where you can go camping or have a picnic. These spots are perfect for families and friends to enjoy nature.
Boating and Fishing
Heron Lake is a popular spot for fishing, especially for salmon and trout. It's also great for sailing in small boats. To keep the lake calm and safe, there's a special rule called a 'no-wake' policy. This means boats must go slowly so they don't create big waves.
Hiking Adventures
If you love to hike, there's a cool trail that's about 5.5 miles (8.9 km) long. This trail crosses the Rio Chama Gorge using a special bridge just for people walking. After crossing, the trail goes through pretty wooded areas all the way to El Vado Lake State Park.
Who Was Kenneth A. Heron?
The lake, the dam, and the state park are all named after a man named Kenneth A. Heron. He was an engineer in the early 1900s. Kenneth Heron had a clever idea: he realized that water could be moved from areas that had a lot of it (like the wetter regions to the north) to drier places that needed it more (like the regions to the south). His vision helped make projects like the San Juan-Chama Project possible.
