Is Stinking Lake safe to swim?

As of July 20, 2026, Stinking Lake in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico is not recommended for swimming. Satellite imagery measured 2,736,170 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold. Rainfall over the past week totaled 0.2 in, which can wash bacteria and nutrients into the water.

How this read is built

Stinking Lake is a lake in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico covering about 1.2 sq mi, the 14th-largest of the 24 lakes SwimZone monitors in New Mexico. Satellite imagery measured 2,736,170 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold.

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms are most common from midsummer into early fall, when the water is warm, calm, and rich in nutrients from runoff. They can produce toxins that make people sick and can be rapidly fatal to dogs, so skip water that looks green, scummy, or like spilled paint, and keep children and pets out of it.

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Stinking Lake has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 7 of them, most recently in July 2026. This is a lake that blooms most summers. Its highest recorded reading was 4,187,386 cells/mL in August 2025.

Is it safe to swim in Stinking Lake right now?

Stinking Lake is not recommended for swimming today. Satellite imagery measured 2,736,170 cells/mL of blue-green algae on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory threshold. Conditions can change quickly with wind, heat, and rain, so check the posted signs and look at the water before you get in.

Does Stinking Lake have blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)?

Yes. Satellite monitoring measured 2,736,170 cells/mL of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) at Stinking Lake on July 19, 2026, above the 100,000 cells/mL advisory level. Avoid swimming and keep children and pets out of the water.

Can dogs swim in Stinking Lake?

No. Blue-green algae at Stinking Lake is above the safe-contact threshold (2,736,170 cells/mL on July 19, 2026). Cyanobacteria toxins can be rapidly fatal to dogs, which swallow it while swimming and lick it from their fur. Keep dogs out of the water and away from any scum along the shore.

How often does Stinking Lake have blue-green algae blooms?

Over 7 summers of satellite monitoring since 2020, Stinking Lake has reached blue-green algae advisory levels in 7 of them, most recently in July 2026. This is a lake that blooms most summers. Its highest recorded reading was 4,187,386 cells/mL in August 2025.

How many New Mexico lakes and beaches are unsafe for swimming today?

Today, 4 New Mexico waters are above a safe-contact threshold and 0 more warrant caution, out of 27 monitored waters SwimZone tracks in the state.

How is Stinking Lake's water quality measured?

SwimZone builds this read from EPA CyAN satellite imagery for blue-green algae, official beach and fecal-bacteria advisories where a program monitors Stinking Lake, and a recent-rainfall overlay, all refreshed daily. It was last updated July 20, 2026.