Thursday, July 26, 2007

Heron Lake Venue Guide (July 17, 2007 draft)

Venue Information for Heron Lake, New Mexico

Heron is a high-altitude mountain lake inhabited by cool-water fish and bordered by juniper trees and ponderosa pines with views of sometimes snowy cliffs and crags; visits are a cool escape from warmer parts of the state.

Heron Lake has a normal capacity of 400,000 acre feet of water at elevation 7,192 feet, reaching the spillway if the lake reaches 410,000 a.f. When full, the lake has about 5,900 surface acres (more than 9 square miles of surface area), and is about four miles long by two to three miles wide. The lake is roughly oval shaped, with its long axis running SSW to ENE. Portions of the lake are a hundred to two hundred feet deep. The dam is 276 feet tall and 1,221 feet long.

Boat ramps are generally usable at a lake elevation of at least 7,128’, at which point the lake has about 140,000 a.f. of water and is 37% full. This is also the minimum elevation at which the marina can begin to open, with A dock usable by shallow-draft vessels.


Management and History

Heron Lake is owned and managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, while recreation is provided for by Heron Lake State Park, which includes the lake and 4,100 adjoining acres. Water from the lake is used by many cities and tribes, including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Española, Los Alamos, Red River, and Taos; the Middle Rio Grande Conservation District, and Pueblo of Pojoaque. Heron Lake State Park borders the lake on the south, southeast, and west. The state park is supported by The Friends of Heron and El Vado Lake State Parks.

Heron Lake was created in the early 1970s to store New Mexico’s share of western slope water. The water that feeds the lake is actually diverted from the western side of the Continental Divide via three tunnels with a length of more than 10 miles and diameters of 10 feet, then released into the headwaters of Willow Creek, which flows into Heron Lake immediately adjacent to the Heron Lake Marina.

Activities

Visitors to Heron Lake State Park may learn about the area at the Visitor’s Center, or participate in evening interpretive talks, trail walks, “Coffee with a Ranger” gatherings, or gaze down at the Rio Chama from the scenic overlook on the east side of the dam. The main activities at the lake are hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, and, of course, sailing.

Water released from Heron Dam enters the Rio Chama, which flows through a beautiful, wooded 5-mile canyon before reaching the upper portion of El Vado Lake. Although the placid lakes are the primary location for water-based recreation in the park, the Rio Chama and the adjacent hiking trail between the lakes offer one of the most scenic and enjoyable hikes in the New Mexico State Parks system.

Wildlife viewing is good in the area. Of interest are views of cliffs, mountains, forests, and wildlife. Southernmost point in U.S. where anglers regularly catch trophy cold-water fish such as lake trout, rainbow trout, and kokanee salmon.

Nearby activities including riding the historic steam-powered Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, horseback rides, fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, sightseeing. Other local attractions include exhibits and classes at Tierra Wools, visits to the Parkview Fish Hatchery, and trips to the Jicarilla Apache reservation, Pagosa Springs (hot mineral baths), Taos, and the Great Sand Dunes National Monument.

In the winter months, activities include fishing, ice fishing, salmon snagging, cross-country skiing, and camping.

No visible wake
Heron Lake is a no-visible-wake lake; motors may normally be operated only at trolling speed. Wake is defined as white water visible off the bow or sides of a vessel. A boat is allowed to make wake during rough weather, to the extent necessary to maintain headway and control.

NM Boating Safety
Skippers who were born after January 1, 1989, must have completed a boating safety class approved by the New Mexico State Parks or by the appropriate agency in their home state. The current commodore of the NMSC is a volunteer instructor for State Parks safe boating classes.

Also in the new safety regulations, all children under the age of 13 must wear a personal flotation device on any boat underway, except when in a cabin.


Location
Heron Lake is situated in far northern New Mexico, only about 15 miles from the Colorado border and a few hours’ drive from the Four Corners juncture of NM, CO, AZ, and UT. With a surface elevation of 7,155 feet and high mountains within view, the lake offers cool relief from summer heat; temperatures don’t often exceed 90 degrees even in mid-summer.

The Jicarilla Apache tribe owns the land west and northwest of the park. The NM Game and Fish Division owns and manages lands adjacent to the southern boundary of the park, known as the Chama Fish and Wildlife Area. The Laguna Vista Landowners Association (LVLOA) is a group of landowners that own property on or near the park’s northern boundary.

Driving Directions, maps
Heron Lake is a three-hour drive from Albuquerque, NM (165 miles).
Heron is about 5 and 1/2 hours from Denver (328 miles via Walsenburg and Alamosa).
From Phoenix, Heron is about 620 miles via Albuquerque (9 and ¼ hours) or 575 miles via Farmington and Chama (9 ½ hours). (Add 1 hour eastbound, subtract 1 hour westbound.)
Directions:From Albuquerque, I-25 N to exit 276B for 599 bypass around Santa Fe and proceed about 14 miles; then merge onto US 84/285 North through Pojoaque to Española, about 25 miles.Upon entering Española (milepost 188), turn left (west) just past the Dandy Burger and cross the Rio Grande to remain on US 84/285, then turn right (north) and very shortly thereafter take a diagonal left (northwest) to remain on the highway.Proceed north from Española to Abiquiu (milepost 212 by Bode's Store), Ghost Ranch (m.p. 225 turnoff, m.p. 227 Piedra Lumbre visitor center, m.p. 229 Echo Amphitheater), and Cebolla (milepost 242/243) past milepost 254 to just south of Tierra Amarilla. There scenic US 64 comes in from Taos and the highway numbering system changes; the next milepost just past the junction is 175 and the numbers now start to get smaller.After passing through Tierra Amarilla, slow down; the turnoff to the lake is between mileposts 172 and 171. Turn left (west) on NM state highway 95 and drive west about 5.3 miles to Heron Lake State Park. Shortly after entering the park, turn right on a gravel road (mile 5.8) that leads about 1/3 mile to the marina.(If you are towing a boat to the ramp or wish to stop at the Visitor Center, do not turn off to the marina; proceed past mile marker 6 to the Visitor Center a bit further to the turnoff for the Willow Creek boat ramp [mile 6.7] and the first set of park campgrounds.)


Weather, Climate
…Seasons
Heron Lake enjoys distinct seasons. An average of 24 inches of annual rain and 125 inches of snow nourishes the ponderosa, pinyon, and juniper trees and other plants.

Average high and low temperatures (F)
38/09 January
56/24 April
78/43 July
61/28 October

Web weather links
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?CityName=Los+Ojos&state=NM&site=ABQ
http://www.accuweather.com/forecast.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&zipChg=1&zipcode=87551&metric=0
http://www.weather.com/weather/local/87551?from=recentsearch
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=87551
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=87551
http://beta.intellicast.com/Local/Weather.aspx?location=USNM0181


Boating
Marina slips, buoys, other facilities, seasonal operation

106 slips (plus some mooring buoys when the lake is full enough). No electricity or water at slips. Covered floating picnic area with six picnic tables and two gas grills. Dockhouse with solar-powered VHF radio. Pumpout machine. Vault toilet on shore nearby. Approximately one mile to full bathhouses with hot-water showers within park at the Willow Creek campground.About 90% sailboats (mostly 22 to 26-foot keelboats with cabins), 10% pontoon boats. Slip rental fee of about $425 covers the entire season of up to about six months. Slip users are obligated to provide a "dockmaster" for a half week during the marina season. Dockmasters camp in their boats or on land adjacent to the marina during their half week and provide security for the marina, information to prospective members, slip rentals to overnight guests, and minor marina maintenance and upkeep.

Ramps, boat and trailer storage

Willow Creek Ramp, mast-raising pole, parking, mast-up boat storage

This is the ramp closest to the Heron Lake Marina; about 1,000 feet by water or 1 mile drive by road. It is concrete-surfaced, two wide lanes wide, and has about 20 pull-through boat trailer parking spaces and additional parking spaces for vehicles without trailers. A vault toilet is adjacent to the parking area at the top of the ramp. Also adjacent is a large, very heavy-duty mast-raising crane. The fenced mast-up boat storage area above the parking lot has room for about 30 to 40 boats and presently is about 40% occupied.


La Laja Boat Ramp
This ramp is located near the southwestern corner of the lake, west of mile 11. It is also surfaced with concrete. During very low water levels at the lake, a primitive boat ramp (unsurfaced) can be used. It is near the dam, about near mile 10.5 on NM Hwy. 95.


Boat rentals, guides

Dunc’s guide and boat rental service – pontoon & fishing boats, located behind Heron Store.

Don Wolfley. Heron Lake Fishing Guide Services, HC 75, Box 1238, Los Ojos, NM 87551, 505 588-9653

Stone House Lodge, 505 588-7274, rental pontoon and aluminum boats, west of Heron Lake. V-hull $150/day, deck boat or pontoon boat $185/day



Hospitality

Summary of Area Services

Services: Full bath houses/park restrooms with hot water showers about 1 mile away. 1/2 mile to Park headquarters, 1 mile drive to boat ramp and mast-up storage lot with mast-raising crane. About 1.5 miles to convenience store/gas outside the park and 7 miles to cabin rentals and nearest restaurants (Tierra Amarilla or Stone House Lodge). Additional services, groceries, and lodging available in Chama (17 miles), Dulce (36 miles), Pagosa Springs (66 miles), or Española (74 miles).

Camping

The park is popular with families and 80 to 90% of park visitors are campers. Within Heron Lake state park are 250 developed camping sites, 54 of which have electricity. Some of the sites also have full septic hook-ups.

Park fees (check for update) are $5 per vehicle entry/day use. Camping fees are $8 for primitive camping (including anchoring in a cove, but no camping fees are charged for marina guests staying in the marina), $10 for developed sites, $14 for electric sites, and $18 for full hookups. Annual day-use and annual camping passes may also be purchased.

Campsites at Heron Lake are generally open on a seasonal basis, with portions of the Willow Creek campground generally open year round. Many of the primitive campgrounds are generally closed from September 30 to May 1. Most of the developed campgrounds other than Willow Creek are open from April 1 to December 21.

Marina Point, Oso primitive camping area
Willow Creek

Willow Creek and Blanco Campgrounds have developed camping with water, power and sewer hook-ups. Forty of these RV sites are on a reservation system and another thirteen RV sites on a first come first serve basis.

Island View, Salmon Run, Brushy Point,

Brushy Point, Island View, and Salmon Run Campgrounds offer a less developed camping opportunity with designated campsites.

Dam area and West side primitive camping

Ridge Rock, Ponderosa, and Piedra Cove campgrounds and the Rincon recreation area offer a range of camping and day use experiences from designated, improved campsites to completely undeveloped primitive areas.

Commercial Campsites and RV Parks

Stone House Lodge RV park Stone House Lodge, NM Highway 95, mile 13, Los Ojos, NM 87551, 505 588-7274, fax 505 588-7714, shl@direcway.com. Dry camp $8, daily full RV hook-up $18.50.

Brazos Lodge, $30 per night full hook-up. Lodge suites $100 and $150/night, cabins $90 to $350, 2-bedroom condos $150.

Sky Mountain Resort RV Park, 2743 South US Hwy 84/64, Chama, NM 87520, www.skymountainresort.com, info@skymountainresort.com alongside Rio Chama, pull-thoruhgs & back-in spaces, 46 full hook-ups w 50 amp electric, heated bathhouse, laundry room.

Rio Chama RV Park, 2 blocks north of railroad depot on Highway 17 to Alamosa. 505 756-2303, www.coloradodirectory.com/riochamarv Full hookups, 65’ pull-throughs, 20, 30, 50 amp electric, full restrooms with hot showers, tent area.


Lodging (contact info, prices, parking, amenities)

Los Ojos, 6 miles: Tierra Wools Guest House (Casita). 91 Main St., Los Ojos, NM 87551. 505 588-7231, 1 888 709-0979, www.handweavers.com. Suites with kitchens.

El Vado, 6 miles: Stone House Lodge, NM Highway 95, mile 13, Los Ojos, NM 87551, 505 588-7274, fax 505 588-7714, shl@direcway.com. 1-bedroom cabins or small apartment (1 queen) $75-80, 2-bedroom cabins (queen, double, twin) $110-135, large cabins or large apartment $145-275, Stone House (20 people) $450.

Brazos, 15 miles:

Brazos Lodge, HC 75, Box 103, Chama, NM 87520, State Rd. 512, 505 588-7707, www.brazosrentals.com. 1-4 room non-smoking cabins, general store/coffee & gift shop

Corkins Lodge, Brazos, 505 588-7261, 800 548-7688, www.corkinslodge.com

Chama, 18 miles:

The Hotel and Shops, shamrock Hotel, PO Box 1096, Chama, NM 87520. 505 756-2416, 800 982-8679, www.thehotel.org roger@thehotel.com Terrace Ave (Hwy 17) across from the train station in Chama. Gift shop downstairs, art gallery upstairs, porch overlooking the od train station.

Y Motel. PO Box 945, Chama, NM 87520, 505 756-2166, inexpensive.

Elkhorn Lodge, Rt 1, Box 45, Chama, NM 87520, 505 756-2105, fax 505 756-2638, reservations 800 532-8874, www.elkhornlodge.net

Vista Del Rio Lodge, HCR 75 Box 37, Chama, 87520, 505 756-2138, 800 939-9943. At the “Y” on Hwy 17. Direct dial phones, TV, HBO, refrigerator, coffeemaker, non-smoking rooms available, no pets, hot tub.

The Timbers at Chama. Dave Spira has stayed here and recommends it for those who appreciate a fine southwestern mountain experience.

Little Creel Lodge & RV Park, PO Box 781, Chama, NM 87520, 505 756-1824, www.littlecreelresort.com

Cumbres Suites Lodge, 2042 S. Hwy 17, Chama, NM 87520, 505 756-9139, toll free 877 756-9139, Suites with king & queen beds, non smoking, no pets, tv, hbo, deluxe continental breakfast.

Branding Iron Motel, PO Box 557, Chama, NM 87520, 505 756-2162, 800 446-2650, www.brandingironmotel.com

River Bend Lodge, PO Box 583, Chama, NM 87520, 505 756-2264, 800 288-1371, www.riverbendlodge.com

El Mesón Lodge, PO Box 647, Chama, NM 8720, 505 756-2114, elmeson.org, info@elmeson.org. Phones, cable tv, in room coffee, double queen, king beds, nonsmoking/smoking rooms.

Chama Station Inn, PO Box 677, Chama, NM 87520, 505 756-2315, 888 726-8150 www.chamastationinn.com

South El Vado, 18 miles El Vado Ranch, 505 588-7354, www.elvado.com, NM Hwy 112. Cabins $96 (1-2 persons) with kitchenette, day use $5 per vehicle.


Bed & Breakfast, all in Chama, approx. 18 miles:

Cardin’s Crossing B&B, 551 Maple Ave., Chama, NM 87520, 505 756-2542, 800 852-6400. B&B, gourmet breakfast, homemade apple pie. Narrow Gauge room with queen or Doll House room & suite. $85 for two guests, $25 per additional. Tom & Mary Cardin. Tom is a photographer and Mary is a painter; she also is a gourmet cook and chief chef for feeding work party volunteers for the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.

Lightheart Inn Still in business or not?

Gandy Dancer, 756-2191

Parlor Car B&B, 311 Terrace Ave, 3rd St. at Hwy 17, PO Box 967, Chama, NM 87520, 505 756-1946, 888 849-7800. Full breakfast served at 8:30 a.m., three guest rooms w private baths, non-smoking.

Posada Encanto B&B, 277 Maple Ave, PO Box 536, Chama, NM 87520, 505 756-1048, 800 756-1925. 1 block w. of Hwy 17/Terrace Ave. 5 rooms each with tiled bath, non-smoking, no pets, teresa@posadaencanto.com, www.posadaencanto.com

Little Rock House on Maple, 158 Maple St, PO Box 997, Chama, NM 87520, www.rockhouseonmaple.info 2 night minimum, $125 1-2 persons, $175 3-4 persons, cottage, non-smoking, no pets, small children not recommended, washer/dryer, full kitchen.




Dining

4 miles: Ed’s Grill and Mary’s Yard Sale. Casual dining, generous portions. The captain’s platter will definitely help you add significant ballast and rail weight to your crew.

7 miles: Stone House Lodge Café. 505-588-7274 . And good desserts; great big cinnamon roles and nice breads and pastries, plus basic comfort food for hungry anglers, hunters, and sailors. A couple of miles beyond the west end of Heron Lake.

7 miles: El Alamo Café, 1 mile north of Los Ojos. Closed Saturday. 505 588-7409, County Rd. 331. Very good breakfasts, friendly, family-room.

15 miles: Cliff View Restaurant in the Brazos canyon. A nice view of the Brazos cliffs from the forested canyon and somewhat upscale casual dining. State Road 512 runs eastward about 8 miles from a point a couple of miles north of Los Ojos (near mile 170) on Hwy. 64/84.


16-19 miles from the marina in Chama:

Elkhorn Café. Nice café with creative sandwiches, popular with local law enforcement.

Elkhorn Lodge Chuckwagon Show, $17.99, 800 532-8874, 505 756-2105

High Country Restaurant, Lounge, Package Liquor. Best dining in the Chama Valley; steaks, seafood, southwestern. Live entertainment in lounge. Chama, NM, 505-756-2384, at the “Y”. Sunday brunch is special here.

Cookin Books, Chama, NM, 505-7569-1717. Adjacent to Chama Valley Market. This is a friendly, one-of-a-kind place with sandwiches and surprises, as well as a bit of a bookstore.

Bar-B-Que Place, ½ mile n. of Hwy 64/84 on Terrace Ave, 1749 Hwy 17, Chama, 505 756-2989. Dine-in or take-out.

Branding Iron Restaurant & Lounge, Chama, NM, 505-756-9195

Jennifer’s, 756-1956.

Patsy’s Bakery, 756-2108

Fina's Diner, Chama, NM, 505-756-9195

Foster's Hotel/Bar/Restaurant, Chama, NM, 505-756-2296 Popular with bikers.





Groceries, rv, camping, boat supplies

Henry’s True Value. Hardware, building supplies, tools, liquor, groceries, auto parts, camping supplies, all under one roof in Tierra Amarilla.

Heron Store and RV. Near mile 4.5, closest store to the marina. RV supplies, some camping supplies and groceries, ice.

Stone House Lodge. General store. Ice, some groceries, fishing tackle, gasoline, propane.

Chama Valley Market. Very good local grocery store with meat department and a wide variety of groceries and supplies.

Family Dollar, auto parts stores,

Misc. shops

Art & Leisure
Tierra Wools. http://www.handweavers.com. Gallery, weaving demonstrations and classes, center for preservation of historic strains of sheep and local knowledge.

Galleries – Local Color Gallery, etc.

Fuel
Margarita’s, Tierra Amarilla (for sale)
Chevron, Tierra Amarilla
Heron Store
Stone House Lodge
Mustang, Chama
Sundial Convenience Store, Chama
Chevron, Chama

Most gas stations in the Chama area have diesel, including the Sundial, which is open late and has separate pumps for diesel.

Communications
Pay phones at Henry’s True Value Hardware and Stone House Lodge.
Cell reception on the lake varies; with Alltel we get coverage on about 50% of the lake. Coverage is good in Chama.
The state park, marina dockmasters, and Stone House Lodge monitor VHF channel 16.




Area Activities, Points of Interest

CHAMA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PO Box 306-RB, Chama, New Mexico 87520 Call (800) 477-0149 or (505) 756-2306 Fax (505) 756-2892
Heron Lake State Park Trails: East Meadow, Salmon Run, Rio Grande/El Vado

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, 500 Terrace Ave, Chama, NM 87520. 888 286-2737, 756-2151, www.cumbrestoltec.com

Brazos Cliffs
Horse Treks

Jicarilla Apache Nation, Jicarilla Culture Center, PO Box 1367, Dulce, NM 87528, 505 759-1343, www.jicarilla.net, jacc@jicarilla.net

Pagosa Springs (hot springs, golf, Wolf Creek Ski area, waterfall, mountain biking)

Durango (Durango Silverton scenic railway)
River rafting (Rio Chama, Rio Grande)
Taos (museums, galleries, ski area, Rio Grande Gorge, Gorge Bridge)
Espanola
Los Alamos,
Jemez

Ojo Caliente, Hot Springs, 800 222-9162, www.ojocalientespa.com, 50 Los Baňos Dr, PO Box 68, Ojo Caliente, NM 87549. Communcal and private mineral baths, massage, facials, restaurant, gift shop, hiking, archeology, US 64 between Tierra Amarilla and Taos, then south on US 285.

Abiquiu (Fiesta of Santa Rosa de Lima, August 30).

Ghost Ranch, US 84, 404 685-4333, www.ghostranch.org Bed & Breakfast, camping, museums of anthropology and paleontology, Piedra Lumbre Education and Visitor Center, hiking trails, trading post, library, conference center, spiritual guides.


Flora, Fauna, and Natural History

Heron Lake is located in Rio Arriba County, in the north central mountains of New Mexico just east of the Continental Divide. Ponderosa pine forests grade into woodlands, shrub land, and grasslands, while riparian/wetland plant communities are found in the arroyos and along the shoreline.

Coniferous trees bordering Heron Lake include pure ponderosa pine stands and mixtures of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, white fir and blue spruce. Deciduous trees common to upland areas at the park include Gambels oak, aspen and Rocky Mountain maple.

A variety of grasses, forbs and shrubs grow under the tree canopy, in open meadows, and along the Chama River. These plants stabilize soil, limit erosion and provide important forage and cover for a variety of wildlife. Common grasses include mountain brome, blue grama and Indian rice grass. A variety of forbs such a western yarrow, wild strawberry and Indian paintbrush live in the park. (State Park Management Plan)

Here fishie fishie …

The current state record for lake trout has come out of Heron Lake. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. German brown trout also inhabit the lake but are not stocked. These fish naturally reproduce within the lake and the surrounding streams. Waterfowl hunting on the northwest side of the lake is the only type of hunting allowed within the park.

Critters

Important mammals found in the area include elk and mule deer. A rarity from Colorado was spotted in the park a couple of years ago: Moose. Important predators include bobcat and mountain lion. The black bear is an important omnivore. Important aquatic mammals include muskrat and beaver. Small terrestrial mammals include tassel-eared squirrel and golden-mantled ground squirrel. Bats also are common because the majority of the park is characterized by coniferous forest with a relatively open canopy and sparse understory, with abundant insects.

The park’s water resources provide for a large variety of birds, both resident and migrant, which provide an important attraction for birders. Prominent water birds include American white pelican, mallard, wood duck, American coot and great blue heron. Important forest-dwelling birds include Clark’s nutcracker, turkey, black-headed grosbeak, Steller’s jay, juncos and broad-tailed hummingbirds. Raptors commonly seen at the park include bald eagle, Cooper’s hawk, and osprey. The recent success of the osprey in colonizing the area has given rise to a popular Osprey Festival at the park.

The only known threatened species that frequents the park is the bald eagle. Although the osprey is not protected by state or federal law, its declining numbers have raised concerns among conservationists. The park helps to offset declines elsewhere by maintaining three osprey nest boxes. In 2001, three breeding pairs each fledged young. Since then, the number of breeding pairs has increased significantly.

Osprey Fest

July 14, 2007, saw Heron Lake’s second annual Osprey Festival, celebrating the success of the fish hawks in re-colonizing the area. Once rare in New Mexico, several breeding pairs of ospreys can now be seen within the park, sometimes even visible from boats.


Oh dear, when the turkey came a knockin’
Then there was the Christmas day dinner when we heard a knock on our cabin door… and it was a wild turkey! And then there were the times when the turkeys and deer would hassle each other in the area right below our deck.


Rocks and Dirt

El Vado and Heron Lakes are on the western edge of the Chama Basin, a small, north south structural trough that is bounded by the Archuleta uplift to the west and the Brazos uplift to the east. To the south lie the San Pedro uplift, Jemez Bench and Valles Caldera. The Chama Basin connects to the southeast with the Rio Grande trough. Most of the rocks within the Chama Basin are sedimentary – primarily sandstones and shales. Crustal adjustments that created the uplifts and troughs also tilted and folded the once-horizontal sedimentary rocks, leaving them vulnerable to erosion onto hogbacks and mesas.

Amateur geologists might note sandstone and shale deposits along the lake shores; these are dated from the late Cretaceous era from when the area was a coastal plain along what was once the “Western Interior Seaway”. One could say that the New Mexico Sailing Club started out as an oceanfront property... if one is willing to go back about 99 million years! Also visible nearby are outcrops of the Burro Canyon formation (Cretaceous era, sandstone, quartz and chert pebble conglomerates, and mudstones) and Dakota formation (sandstone) downstream of Heron dam. Also downstream of the dam is Jurassic Morrison formation rock. The dam is built upon the northeast side of the “North El Vado Dome”, which is 1.5 miles in diameter. (See http://geoinfo.nmt.edu/tour/state/heron_lake/home.html for further details.)


Local History and Background

This area became the traditional homeland for a variety of other Native American groups, including the Jicarilla Apache, Ute, and Navajo. Between 1300-1500 A.D. it was used intermittently by the Ute and Navajo. Tewa Pueblos lay ancestral claim to this area, supported by archival and oral research. By the 1700s and 1800s, this became the northwest boundary of the Jicarilla Apache traditional use area. Jicarilla Apache lands border park today. Several archaeological sites within the park have been identified as Jicarilla Apache.

The area was used marginally throughout the early Hispanic occupation, between the 1500s and 1800s. Hispanic sheepherders and settlers began to move in by the early 19th century. The Tierra Amarilla Land Grant was made in April 1832, the lands to be used for cultivation and pasturage, potentially supporting up to 500 families. The land grant has survived and still exists today.

In the late 1800s, the Chama Valley corridor was an area rich in vast stands of harvestable ponderosa pine. Timber was a plentiful resource, and companies soon moved in, building railroad spurs into the surrounding mountains. In 1880, the railroad through the Chama Valley was developed for the narrow gauge Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company. In 1903, a railroad spur was completed ending in El Vado, located at present-day El Vado Lake. A series of large sawmills sprang forth and between 1904-1908 and 1914-1923. The town of El Vado was a bustling community with up to 882 occupants at its peak, making it Rio Arriba County's largest town. In 1923, El Vado was abandoned and soon after, the MRGCD chose the site for El Vado Dam. The lake subsequently submerged the town of El Vado, which is now an underwater archaeological site. Some features remain on the shore relating to early El Vado history.

El Vado reservoir was constructed between 1933 and 1935 as part of federal unemployment relief efforts. Although initially built for irrigation purposes, by 1947 recreational use of the reservoir came to the forefront. In 1954, the BOR rehabilitated El Vado Dam and took over its operation in 1956. Since 1956, State Parks has leased the property. El Vado Dam is a rare example of the extensive use of steel in earth fill dam construction. It is listed on the State Register of Cultural Properties and has been determined eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The concept for Heron Dam was conceived in 1933. The San Juan-Chama Project, created to supplement water on the Rio Grande, which included Heron Dam, was begun in 1964 and was completed with the construction of the dam in 1971. This is one of the top civil engineering projects in the United States. (State Park Management Plan)



Saving the Train

Originally built to reach the silver fields of southwestern Colorado in the late 19th century, the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad became economically obsolete in the 1960s after a brief revival during development of oil fields in the 1950s and 1960s. The railroad petitioned to abandon its route in 1970, distressing rail fans and local residents. Efforts by them and local leaders resulted in two segments of the old railroad being preserved, with the train re-starting as a historic railroad in 1973.

The surviving Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad advertises itself as the highest and longest steam-powered railway in the country. It travels daily in summer between Chama, NM, and Antonito, CO, traversing the 10,015-foot summit of Cumbres Pass and passing over trestle bridges and through tunnels and gorges. The railroad has been featured in many movies, including the opening scenes of an Indiana Jones movie.

Courthouse Raid

Reijes Tijerina was one of many activists who protested the history of land grants and grabs. These protests culminated in the famous or infamous 1967 Rio Arriba County Courthouse Raid, which resulted in bullet holes splashing the courthouse and a call for National Guard troops to enforce order.

Drought

The lake suffered a significant drought in 2003-2005, drying out the cove where the marina is located and reducing the lake to about a third of its capacity. Since then, better winter snowpacks have allowed the lake to recover to where the marina is now in 29 feet of water.





New Mexico Sailing Club
New Mexico Sailing Club members enjoy the peace and quiet of no-wake Heron Lake in far northern New Mexico. Members who keep their boats in marina slips for the season take half-week turns as dockmasters at the volunteer-run marina. Heron is uncrowded and a gem; it's where people go to really get away from almost everything that has to do with schedules, crowds, and noise. Heron is also popular with anglers and bird watchers; there's a lot of nature to appreciate. During the off-season, NMSC members have meetings about once a month, alternating between the Santa Fe and Albuquerque areas.

Sailing Club History

The NMSC was first formed about 35 years ago at Navajo Lake but moved to Heron after Heron first filled around 1972. As the lake gradually filled from 1970 to 1980, initially club members alternated between sailing at Navajo and Heron Lakes. In 1989, the club made a significant investment and greatly expanded the marina to something resembling its present form. Drought and sedimentation grounded and closed the marina from August 2003 until the 2005 season brought abundant water to improve lake conditions. In 2007, the marina cove reached a depth of about 29 feet, with portions of the main lake well over a hundred feet deep.

Calendar, activities
Racing
Fourth of July Long Race
Challenge Cup
Summer Season

Race Management

Race chair, Lisa Carlson
Club principal race officer, Pat Byrnes

People


Sister Clubs and Local Organizations

SAIL, the Sailing Association of Intermountain Lakes, is the regional sailing association for US Sailing and is headquartered in the Denver area. SAIL also issues PHRF certificates for racers. More information can be found at http://www.rmsail.org.

Sailors from the Rio Grande Sailing Club (RGSC) mostly sail at Elephant Butte Lake in the southern part of New Mexico, The RGSC is busiest in fall and spring. In summer, the RGSC hosts some informal sailing and an occasional "raft-up" potluck dinner, but especially on big holiday summer weekends, club members mostly leave the Butte to the jet-skis and vroom-vroom crowds. Summer is also when some of the RGSC’s more ambitious cruisers hook up their trailers and head for distant shores.

San Juan Sailing Club, consists of southwestern Colorado sailors who sail from the northern end of Navajo Lake, in Arboles, CO.

BOC, the Boat Owners of Cochiti, are the no-rules sailing club. What they lack in facilities, they make up for in spirit. In a BOC “race”, a boat and crew that fall behind are allowed to use a motor to catch up with the rest of the fleet – and, presumably, with the supply of refreshing adult beverages.




Phonebook/Internet/Contacts


Park Contact info: Heron Lake State Park, PO Box 159, Los Ojos, NM 87551. (505) 588-7470. Superintendent, Anthony Marquez, Anthony.Marquez@state.nm.us.
Rio Grande Sailing Club PO Box 13953 Albuquerque, NM 87192 http://mail.zianet.com/cgi-bin/sqwebmail?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rgsc.org×tamp=1184278847&md5=GKfGrTVJGfeOomtHO9JB5g%3D%3D
New Mexico Sailing Club PO Box 1795 Bernalillo, NM 87004 http://mail.zianet.com/cgi-bin/sqwebmail?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nmsail.org×tamp=1184278847&md5=GKfGrTVJGfeOomtHO9JB5g%3D%3D
Pat & Carol Anne Byrnes http://mail.zianet.com/cgi-bin/sqwebmail?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fdesertsea.blogspot.com&timestamp=1184278847&md5=GKfGrTVJGfeOomtHO9JB5g%3D%3D http://mail.zianet.com/cgi-bin/sqwebmail?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fitsfiveoclocksomewhere.blogspot.com&timestamp=1184278847&md5=GKfGrTVJGfeOomtHO9JB5g%3D%3D

Friends of Heron and El Vado Lakes State Parks
http:// www.friendsofheronandelvadolakes.com/
Who or what are the Friends of Heron Lake and El Vado Lake State Parks (FOHEV)? FOHEV is a volunteer organization incorporated as a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 entity (applied for). We operate under a “Cooperative Agreement” with the New Mexico State Parks Division and our purpose is to assist the Parks Division and the Parks by enhancing, preserving and promoting Park use. FOHEV helps the Parks in many ways with interpretative, educational and recreational programs and acts as an advocate group for the park system. All of our activities and money raised are used to benefit the communities of the Chama Valley, Heron Lake and El Vado Lake State Parks and the New Mexico State Parks Division.

Osprey Festival



EMERGENCY

FIRE DEPARTMENTS Tierra Amarilla/Los Ojos /Laguna Vista 911

911 LAW ENFORCEMENT NM State Police, Chama, (505) 756-2343 Rio Arriba Sheriff, Tierra Amarilla, (505) 588-7271

911 MEDICAL
Dunham Clinic, Chama, (505) 756-2143 La Clinica del Pueblo, Tierra Amarilla¸ (505) 588-7252 Los Alamos Medical Center, Los Alamos¸ (505) 662-4201

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