El Vado Lake
In Rio Arriba County, northern New Mexico, in the southwest of the United States, there is a reservoir called El Vado Lake. The 196 m long and 53 m high earth-filled El Vado Dam on the Rio Chama, built in 1935, holds back water. The lake, which covers 13 km2 and is 8.0 km long by more than 1.6 km wide, is located at the height of 2,100 m.
El Vado Lake State Park is located on the lake's eastern coast and offers more than 100 camping and picnic areas as well as two upgraded boat ramps. The lake is a popular spot for boating and salmon and trout fishing. There are no restrictions on boat speeds, unlike the adjoining Heron Lake. A 5.5-mile (8.9-km) long hiking trail leads to Heron Lake State Park across the Rio Chama Gorge on a pedestrian suspension bridge.
El Vado Lake's north shore is bordered by a beautiful 8.9-kilometer hiking trail that connects it to Heron Lake State Park. The El Vado Lake State Park, which offers camping and picnicking areas, is located on the lake's eastern shore. Salmon and trout fishing are both ubiquitous in the lake. Visitors come here in the winter to go cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Location: Rio Arriba County, New Mexico
