Concerns grow as water levels at Elephant Butte continue to fall

Elephant Butte State Park is known for its recreational lake, where people go fishing, boating, and camping, but it also serves as a reservoir used for irrigation.

In early April, KFOX14 reported concerns from Rio Grande water managers on the possibility of Elephant Butte dropping to below 5% capacity.

According to Water Data for Texas, about a week ago, Elephant Butte Lake was about 8% full right now.

As of June 22, it dropped to 5.6% and there’s concern it could drop to 2% capacity.

“I think 2003 was really the beginning of this drought and here we are 2026,” Manager-Treasurer of the Elephant Butte Irrigation District, Josh Smith said.

Smith met with KFOX14 morning news anchor Victoria Balderrama, out at the state park.

Smith told Balderrama that New Mexico is facing extreme drought, record early snowmelt and very low reservoir levels.

“Based on what we’ve looked at this week, I believe the Butte has about 150,000-acre feet in it right now. Compared to last year, we were at about 200,000-acre feet the same week,” Smith said.

Doing the math, that’s 50,000 acres less of water supply available to irrigate compared to last year.

A concerning number for the Elephant Butte Irrigation District, which delivers irrigation water to over 900,00 acres of farmland

“Usually, we irrigate from February and March through August, maybe into September. This year, our irrigation season began June 1st and EBID will be done by the end of June. So, 30 days or less,” Smith said.

Smith said it’s a worsening situation stemming from a record low snowpack, which is used in the springtime.

Morning Anchor Victoria Balderrama reports on the falling water levels at Elephant Butte

“One of the questions we get a lot is, well, why don’t you leave water and Elephant Butte? And the reason is, the water and Elephant Butte is irrigation water. I mean, essentially, it’s been bought and paid for by all our farmers downstream,” Smith said.

Those questions are coming from people making plans to visit Elephant Butte.

Dennis Groves has spent his summers here since the 80’s.

“It’s amazing how low the water level is, comparatively speaking. I can remember being here when the water would be spilling out of the dam,” Groves said.

Ricky Efird has also witnessed the effects of the persistent drought.

“It’s gotten a lot better,” Efird said. “Water-wise not really. Back in 94 when I was born, we were coming out here when the water was spilling over the dam.”

Elephant Butte might have changed over the years, but it looks like it hasn’t stopped people from enjoying the lake.

Joshua Koch is the rental manager for Marina Del Sur, where they rent out boats.

“It has been a little bit slower compared to last year, but there’s still a bunch of people coming out. I think the water levels is what’s freaking people out,” Koch said.

Despite dropping levels, Koch said there’s still enough water to enjoy the summer.

“The deepest part of the lake on the dam side would still be like 50 feet deep, even 3% full. So, there’s still a lot of water out here,” Koch said.

Experts warn it’ll be a short irrigation season for those who depend on irrigation water and without significant rainfall, water levels at Elephant Butte could continue to decline.

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