ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Albuquerque District announced May 15, 2020, that USACE-managed lakes in New Mexico and southeastern Colorado are scheduled to begin the first part of a phased reopening. The initial reopening date will vary from lake to lake due to local and state conditions. See below for lake-specific information.
In the initial reopening phase, some day use recreation areas are scheduled to be reopened. Campgrounds are scheduled to reopen during a later phase.
USACE Albuquerque District recreation actions are being coordinated with New Mexico State Parks (NMSP) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). USACE will not precede state actions. At lakes with shared recreation management, such as Conchas and Santa Rosa lakes in New Mexico, and John Martin Reservoir and Trinidad Lake in Colorado, the USACE-managed areas will be reopening in conjunction with the NMSP and CPW-managed recreation areas.
State guidelines regarding COVID-19 (such as social distancing and the use of face masks) apply while visiting USACE-managed recreation areas.
For information about lake operations and recreation statuses at Abiquiu, Conchas, Cochiti, John Martin, Santa Rosa, and Trinidad lakes, visit: http://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil- Works/Recreation/Updates/
ABIQUIU LAKE, N.M.
Day use recreation areas that are scheduled to reopen May 16, 2020, include the Cerrito Day Use Area; the Overlook Day Use Area, including picnic areas; and the downstream Rio Chama Day Use Area.
The Riana campground and the boat ramp will remain closed at this time. The lake is open for paddle craft. Motorized boats are not allowed on the lake until further notice. The public is required to bring their own life jackets as the Loaner Life Jacket program is currently not in operation.
The main office/visitor center is open for phone calls, but is closed for public walk-ins at this time.
Day use fees have been waived until October 1, 2020. Normally, these fees are collected at Abiquiu from April 15 through October 15.
COCHITI LAKE, N.M.
At this time, Cochiti Lake remains closed until further notice. The visitor center, campgrounds, day-use areas, swim areas, fishing areas, and walking trails are closed to the public. The main office is open for phone calls, but closed for public walk-ins at this time.
JOHN MARTIN RESERVOIR, CO
USACE-managed day use recreation areas are currently open and include the Disc Golf Course and the Petroglyphs.
The USACE main office and visitor center are currently closed to the public.
CPW Campgrounds began to reopen May 14, launching a phased reopening that will occur across the park system in coordination with park managers and local officials.
For information on CPW-managed recreation areas, go to: https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/COVID-19-Response.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3Mx-TryPAHo6GwPvuAyo30k5PJFnRZw7g8EzLz-_diZtneVv0TkhLJTFQ
TRINIDAD LAKE, CO
The USACE main office and visitor center are open for phone calls, but closed for public walk-ins at this time.
CPW Campgrounds began to reopen May 14, launching a phased reopening that will occur across the park system in coordination with park managers and local officials.
For information on CPW-managed recreation areas, go to: https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/COVID-19-Response.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3Mx-TryPAHo6GwPvuAyo30k5PJFnRZw7g8EzLz-_diZtneVv0TkhLJTFQ
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