New Mexico's Elephant Butte Reservoir hits 1.4% capacity, leaving businesses scrambling for a lifeline

New Mexico's Elephant Butte Reservoir has dropped to a startlingly low level, turning what would normally be the height of lake season into a stark example of how deeply drought can alter a community.

Here's what to know

The reservoir has fallen to 1.4% of capacity, a decline that is reshaping the landscape and cutting into tourism-dependent businesses, according to KFOX14.

After sitting at 5.6% capacity in June, the reservoir dropped to 1.4% by August, adding strain on businesses tied to visitor traffic.

Zia Kayak Outfitters owner Edna Trager moved to the area in 2003 and launched her business in 2011, when the reservoir was still known as one of New Mexico's biggest lakes. As she told the station, "It's August, summertime. Typically, there would be more people."

Trager said the retreating waterline has made it much harder for people to reach the lake. "We've never seen the release go down that low. The lowest they've taken it is 3%. At 3%, we still at least have a ramp. It's usable, it's beautiful, it's fine, it's smaller, but it's usable. At 1.4..."

She said business fell 77% from July to August.

More background

In Elephant Butte, those economic consequences are especially evident because so much of the area depends on water-based recreation. When the lake level collapses, the attraction that supports the local tourism economy becomes much harder to maintain.

The uncertainty creates another challenge, too: planning ahead. Seasonal businesses often have to make decisions about staffing, inventory, and equipment long before they know whether conditions will improve.

What's being done?

Local officials have started seeking help. According to KFOX14, leaders in Elephant Butte approved a local disaster declaration and requested state aid, while Sierra County and Truth or Consequences are also asking for assistance.

A city official identified in the report as Holcomb said, "The resolution is just letting the state know that we are in an emergency situation because of the drought and that we're going to be applying for some state funds to help us through that."

The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has recognized the community impact of the low water levels. Even so, the agency said the situation does not currently meet its emergency management standard for a disaster. The governor's office told the station it will keep working with local officials to determine whether assistance options could be available if they make contact.

As Trager put it, "We're just looking at next year at this point. The optimistic people will say we'll get water next year like we always do."

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