Elephant Butte, NM

[sailor3X7]

I grew up going to Elephant Butte in New Mexico. I understand it is at 4 percent capacity. I was wondering if anyone had been on Elephant Butte this summer and if so, is the water level that low? Are you still able to put a boat on the lake?

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Elephant Butte, NM

Is this the real name?? I'm from the north, and I thought Medicine Hat was goofy. Sorry couln't resist.

 

[sailor3X7]

Re: Elephant Butte, NM

NYMinute:<br />Yes, that really is the name. But it's not quite as funny as it looks. It is, of course, pronounced beaut as in beauty. (I couldn't think of a better phonetic spelling) There is a large butte close to the dam that sort of resembles an elephant.

 

[dy168]

Re: Elephant Butte, NM

NYMINUTE, how about Mexican Hat, Utah?

 

[lostintexas]

Re: Elephant Butte, NM

most of the lakes in the area a getting to be more of large mud puddles than lakes. i have not been to elephant butte but the lakes in west texas a suffering.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Elephant Butte, NM

Originally posted by riverwolf:<br /> NYMINUTE, how about Mexican Hat, Utah?

We have French Lick here in Indiana, How embarrassing.

 

[dy168]

Re: Elephant Butte, NM

Originally posted by NYMINUTE:<br />

We have French Lick here in Indiana, How embarrassing.

Thats funny I wonder who named the place?

 

[RedRangerVIP]

Re: Elephant Butte, NM

Sailor,<br /> Haven't been there in a year, but it was real low as I recall in 2003. Blue Mesa,Antero,and most others here in Colorado have been very low for the past 5-6 years at least. Hoping for more snow this year so boating is better. <br /> I know.... that's a 4 letter word. But we sure need the water here.

 

[sailor3X7]

Re: Elephant Butte, NM

Oh, I agree. I watch the weather for Colorado and NM all the time just hoping for moisture. Not only do I want the lakes to fill for the recreation, but that water supply is so important to so many. I know that the people who manage the water supply study it and know more than I do, but I often wonder if it could be done in a better way. It reminds me of a checking account. It's okay to use more than is coming in for a short time to get through a drougth. But, unless you want to overdraw your account, you have to manage what goes out very carefully when there is not much coming in. I don't understand opening the gates as if there is an endless supply. If we aren't disciplined with using the resource when we do have it, we will be forced into rationing etc. when we don't have it. I know that I am writing from basic ignorance, and anytime I learn more about the way something is done, I begin to understand. So, I write that knowing I don't know what I am talking about. But if I didn't talk about stuff I don't know about I would never have a single thing to say.

 

[beniam]

Re: Elephant Butte, NM

Its been a dry bunch of years in the Southwest. Have not been to Elephant Butte in a few years. Know that Lake Powell and Lake Mead are at less than 45% capacity. Good news, been raining, snowing, lower Colorado Basin at 150% of average snow accumulation. Try Lake Powell, we still have 400 ft of water at the dam. Batavier

 

[NMplayer]

Re: Elephant Butte, NM

UPDATE<br /><br />Due to recent snow and rainfall the Butte and Caballo, the smaller lake below it are rising 3 inches a day. Its raining sown here more than I've seen in years. <br /><br />It never got where you couldn't put a boat on it, but you better have a good depthfinder. Cat fishing has been excellent. <br /><br />I'm afraid that that the fluctuation in depth is going to mess the spawn up for other species, but we'll see.<br /><br />Part of the problem is that New Mexico made a deal with El Paso to give them so much water. We couldn't afford it with the drought. I passed over the Rio Grande yesterday above the lake and its flowing more than it has in a long time.