Memorial Day Lake Crowds Bring Reminder to Boaters: Clean, Drain and Dry

As Memorial Day weekend crowds continue pouring into lakes and state parks across New Mexico, state agencies are reminding visitors to prepare for busy conditions both on the roads and at the boat ramps.

At Elephant Butte Lake State Park, New Mexico State Parks shared images of packed shorelines and heavy holiday traffic Friday, reminding visitors to plan ahead, follow Stage 2 fire restrictions, pack out trash, and always wear life jackets while on the water.

“Big skies. Full shorelines. A holiday weekend in New Mexico,” the agency posted as thousands of visitors headed to lakes and campgrounds statewide for the unofficial start of summer recreation season.

At the same time, the New Mexico Department of Wildlife is urging boaters to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by following the state’s “Clean, Drain and Dry” requirements before moving boats between waterways.

The campaign, coordinated alongside New Mexico State Parks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies, is focused primarily on preventing the spread of zebra and quagga mussels into New Mexico lakes.

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Officials warned that invasive mussels pose long-term threats not only to native aquatic ecosystems, but also to boating, fishing, irrigation systems, municipal water supplies and hydroelectric infrastructure.

“Trying to keep AIS species out of our waterbodies is a big task, but with the public’s help, it is much more achievable,” said James Dominiguez, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Wildlife.

Boaters traveling this weekend should expect mandatory inspection stations at several lakes, including Elephant Butte, Navajo, Ute and Conchas lakes. All out-of-state boats, along with boats re-entering New Mexico, are required to obtain an inspection before launching.

Wildlife officials are asking boaters to:

• Clean all plants, mud and debris from boats and trailers,
• Drain all water from bilges, live wells and motors,
• And allow watercraft to dry completely before entering another body of water.

Officials also reminded boaters not to transfer live fish between waterways.

The holiday weekend comes as fire restrictions remain active in portions of New Mexico, adding another layer of caution for campers and lake visitors heading outdoors during one of the state’s busiest recreation weekends of the year.