BLUEWATER LAKE, N.M. – While the week was good for fishing, a danger has been growing underneath Cibola’s Bluewater Lake. Fishing is still being reported, and boating conditions remain listed as excellent, but Bluewater is now listed under a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Watch Advisory by the New Mexico Environment Department.
Bluewater Lake
The New Mexico Environment Department announced Bluewater Lake in Cibola County is currently listed under a HAB Watch Advisory, meaning there is evidence that a harmful algal bloom may be developing.
Harmful algal blooms can appear blue, bright green, brown or red and may look like scum, thick paint, pea soup or floating grass clippings on the water’s surface, according to the NMED. Some blooms can produce toxins that are harmful to people and animals.
NMED wrote: if the water smells bad or looks scummy, stay out. When in doubt, stay out.
Under a HAB Watch Advisory, visitors are encouraged not to drink untreated surface water or get it in their mouths, to avoid visible algae blooms while swimming or wading, and to keep pets away from both water and shoreline algae. If pets come into contact with lake water or algae, they should be rinsed with clean water.
Anglers who keep fish should rinse fish with clean water, cook them thoroughly and eat only the fillet portion.
On the fishing side, the most recent report for Bluewater shows that catfish fishing was FAIR to GOOD when using hot dogs.
There was no stocking reported this week. For current fishing and park conditions, visitors can check Bluewater Lake State Park’s webpage or call 505-8762391.
USGS provisional elevation readings show Bluewater at 7,365.40 feet on July 7 and 7,365.23 feet on July 14, a drop of 0.17 feet over the week. Despite the drop in water storage, New Mexico State Parks still rates boating at Bluewater Lake as EXCELLENT.
Visitors should also remember that Stage II fire restrictions remain in effect at Bluewater Lake State Park. Under those restrictions, visitors may not build or use fires, campfires, charcoal, coal or wood stoves, including in developed campgrounds or picnic areas. Restrictions also apply to fireworks, smoking, certain equipment use, openflame work and off-road vehicle use. Wood gathering is prohibited within state park boundaries, and OHVs, ATVs and dirt bikes are not allowed in the park.
State Parks continues to remind visitors to wear life jackets when in or around the water. Bluewater Lake also has an EV charging station, and seasonal hours are in effect. From April 1 through Oct. 30, the park’s posted hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are available through Reserve America at 877-664-7787.
Grants Riverwalk Pond
There was no stocking reported at the Grants Riverwalk Pond this week.
Even so, the Riverwalk area continues to grow as a walkable downtown space. Recent paintings and new statue installations have helped spruce up the park area, giving residents another reason to enjoy the ponds, paths and public spaces even on weeks when fishing reports are quiet.
Share Your Fishing Story
Community members can strengthen these reports and help build a running record of fishing at Bluewater Lake and the Riverwalk Pond, especially as summer fishing patterns settle in. As your community newspaper, the Cibola Citizen looks forward to receiving and publishing local photos and stories from the lake and pond.Send your catches, conditions updates and fishing stories to editor@cibolacitizen.com
Harmful Algae Bloom Watch Advisory at Bluewater Lake, Fishing Safe