Water comes back on at Storrie Lake State Park

Gregory Hasman, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
·2 min read

Jul. 22—Water is once again flowing at Storrie Lake State Park.

The lake, which is about five miles north of Las Vegas, is a popular spot for campers and boaters.

Last month, the State Parks Division restricted water use at the park after the city of Las Vegas enacted rationing measures due to flooding from the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire burn scars.

"Storrie Lake State Park is connected to the city water system, and we felt it was best to shut our water off to help ease the burden on the system and preserve what little water was available to our community," New Mexico State Parks Director Toby Velasquez said in a statement. "We're not just another business. We have been a part of the Las Vegas community for 64 years, and we're committed to supporting our community and neighbors during this time of adversity."

On June 21, heavy rain in the burn scar area produced flooding and brought ash and debris in unprecedented amounts into the city's drinking water reservoir, delaying the processing of water by the water treatment plant.

State Parks spokeswoman Wendy Mason said Storrie Lake State Park shut its water off to all facilities including comfort stations, campsites, and the recreational vehicle dump station shortly after restrictions went into effect. All facilities at the park are now up and running except for water at the RV dump station, which is in need of repair.

In Las Vegas, on Friday, the city said on social media that it was nearing the final steps of operation of the pre-water treatment plant, which has contributed to a decrease in water reserves.

"This is to be expected during the setup phase as resources are allocated toward testing and calibration," the post states. "The pre-water treatment plant is currently undergoing the final stages of assembly before it can begin operations. This typically involves ensuring all components are properly installed, tested, and calibrated to make certain the plant functions efficiently and effectively once it starts treating water."