One of the steps to identify surface water quality issues is to collect water quality data and information through organized, quality-controlled monitoring. The Surface Water Quality Bureau ensures relevant water quality data for all of New Mexico’s surface waters are collected using robust scientific methods in a way that is transparent to water quality agencies and the public. The Monitoring Program serves all surface water quality monitoring needs to the extent possible given available resources, NMED priorities, and strategic goals. The waterbody types currently monitored by the program include streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
Monitoring staff develop and implement field sampling plans to ensure all data needed to determine attainment of New Mexico’ water quality standards are collected during watershed surveys. The Bureau conducts monitoring of watersheds on a 10-year rotational schedule. Monitoring occurs in non-winter months from March through November over two years, resulting in surface water in approximately one-fourth of the State being monitored every two years.
Monitoring focuses primarily on chemical, physical, and biological conditions in perennial waters, and includes sampling for most pollutants that have numeric or narrative water quality criteria in New Mexico. To meet federal and state requirements and expectations, the Bureau developed and occasionally updates a monitoring strategy (2016, revisions pending 2023). The strategy provides a detailed description of monitoring objectives and designs, as well as approaches to data quality assurance and management.
Data collected during these water quality surveys are assessed to determine if they meet state water quality standards. These data assessments are then used to develop the State of New Mexico Clean Water Act §303(d)/305(b) Integrated Report and Total Maximum Daily Load planning documents.
Looking for New Mexico Surface Water Quality Data?
- Visit the National Water Quality Portal
2023-2024 Field Sampling Plans
-Rio Chama Watershed FSP and StoryMap
-Sacramento Mountains FSP and StoryMap
-Santa Fe River MST special project (2023) FSP
Water Quality Survey Reports
Lake Survey Reports (through 2009)
| 2009 Lakes: Bear Canyon Reservoir, East and West Fawn Lakes, Goose Lake, Santa Cruz Reservoir | 2002 Lakes: Jackson Lake, Lake Farmington (Beeline), Navajo Reservoir |
| 2008 Lakes: Burn Lake, Lake Holloman | 2001 Lakes: Blue Hole, McAllister Lake, Santa Rosa Reservoir, Storrie Lake |
| 2007 Lakes: Abiquiu Reservoir, Bill Evans Lake, Bitter Lake, Bosque Redondo lake, Canjilon Lake, el Vado Reservoir, figure Eight Lake, Heron Reservoir, Lake Van, Lea Lake, Middle For Lake, Nambe Lake, Ned Houk Lake, Perch Lake, Santa Fe Lake, Serpent Lake, Sink Hole #19, ters Lagunas N.E, Williams Lake | 2000 Lakes: Clayton Lake, Monasstery Lake, Santa Cruz Reservoir |
| 2006 Lakes: Charette Lakes, Upper & Lower, Conchas Reservoir, Laguna Madre, Lake Alice, Lake Maloya, Maxwell 12. 13, and 14, Shuree Ponds, Lower & Upper, Springer Lake, Stubblefield Lake, Ute Reservoir | 1992 Playa Lakes: Chicosa Lake, Lane Salt Lake, Laguna Gatuna, Laguna Quatro, Laguna Tres, Laguna Uno, Laguna Walden, Middle Lake (Lea County), Salt (Wagon Mound) Lake, Williams Sink |
| 2005 Lakes: Eagle Nest Lake, Fenton Lake | 1999 Lakes: Abiquiu Reservoir, Hopewell Lake |
| 2004 Lakes: Bluewater Reservoir, Caballo Reservoir, Quemado Lake, Ramah Lake, San Gregorio Lake, Upper Nutria Diversion Reservoir, Zuni Cinder Cone Lake, Zuni Salt Lake | 1998 Lakes: Eagle Nest Reservoir, El Vado Reservoir, Five Selected Basins: Bottomless State Park, Fenton Lake |
| 2003 Lakes: Bonito Lake, Brantley Reservoir, Grindstone Canyon Reservoir, Sumner Reservoir |