Jemez Canyon Dam stands on the Jemez River in Sandoval County, a few miles north of Albuquerque — a flood-control dam whose reservoir has been deliberately kept dry since the early 2000s. Once a local fishing and boating spot, it is now closed to the public, and it is worth knowing the story before you drive out. This guide is part of our growing New Mexico Lakes Database.
Jemez Canyon Dam at a glance
- Location: Jemez River, Sandoval County, a few miles north of Albuquerque
- Built: 1953, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — an earthen dam 150 ft high and 870 ft long
- Purpose: flood and sediment control for the Rio Grande valley (on Santa Ana Pueblo land)
- Status: the reservoir was drained in 2001 and the area closed to the public in 2015
- Recreation: none today — the pool is kept dry
A reservoir left dry on purpose
The Corps of Engineers built Jemez Canyon Dam in 1953 to catch floods and sediment on the Jemez River before they reached the Rio Grande. For decades it held a reservoir that drew local anglers and boaters. But in 2001, managers gradually drained the pool to send its trapped sediment downstream to the sediment-starved Rio Grande — and the reservoir has been kept essentially dry ever since. In 2015 the area was closed to public access.
What that means for visitors
There is no fishing, boating or day-use at Jemez Canyon Reservoir today — the pool is dry and the site is closed. It remains an important piece of Rio Grande flood-control infrastructure, on Santa Ana Pueblo land, but it is no longer a recreation destination. Anglers near Albuquerque should look instead to Cochiti Lake, the Rio Grande, or the streams and lakes of the Jemez Mountains.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fish at Jemez Canyon Reservoir?
No — the reservoir was drained in 2001 and the area closed to the public in 2015. The pool is kept dry, so there is no fishing or boating today.
Why was Jemez Canyon Reservoir drained?
Managers drained it starting in 2001 to deliver its trapped sediment downstream to the sediment-deficient Rio Grande and improve water availability.
Where is Jemez Canyon Dam?
On the Jemez River in Sandoval County, a few miles north of Albuquerque, on Santa Ana Pueblo land.
Related: explore more small lakes of New Mexico, or head back to the New Mexico Lakes Database.
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