El Vado Lake
El Vado Lake is a reservoir located in Rio Arriba County, in northern New Mexico in the southwestern United States. Water is impounded by the earth-filled El Vado Dam, on the Rio Chama, 642 feet (196 m) long and 175 feet (53 m) high, completed in 1935. The 3,200-acre (13 km2) lake is 5 miles (8.0 km) long and over 1 mile (1.6 km) wide, and lies at an elevation of 6,900 feet (2,100 m).
| El Vado Lake | |
|---|---|
 El Vado Lake, August 2009 | |
  El Vado Lake  El Vado Lake | |
| Location | Rio Arriba County, New Mexico |
| Coordinates | 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) |
The eastern shore of the lake is the El Vado Lake State Park, featuring over 100 camping and picnic sites, and two improved boat ramps. The lake is a destination for salmon and trout fishing, as well as for boating. Unlike nearby Heron Lake, boat speeds are not restricted. A 5.5-mile (8.9 km) hiking trail runs to the north, crosses the Rio Chama Gorge via a pedestrian suspension bridge, and then connects to the Heron Lake State Park.
