According to several websites, Bottomless Lakes State Park was the FIRST State Park created in the state of New Mexico.
In 1933, the Bottomless Lakes area was set aside as New Mexico's first state park in the Southeast region of New Mexico. The New Mexico State Park system was created for the purpose of using the funding and labor that was available in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Works Project Administration (WPA) programs in the 1930s.
More about CCC/WPA at Bottomless Lakes:
The CCC crews began construction work on the Bathhouse and Pavilion in 1935 and finished the projects by 1938. The Works Progress Administration (WPA), which was another similar government relief effort labor force during the Great Depression, was also involved in the development of this park, as they built roads, trails and recreational structures.
More about the "Bottomless Lakes":
This park is home to nine lakes that were formed via the action of sinkhole formation. Contrary to the old cowboy myth, the lakes are not bottomless, but have depths up to 90 feet. The story has been told that cowboys that used the nearby "Goodnight Trail" for moving cattle, would frequent these lakes. They decided to tie a boulder on he end of their lassos and dropped the boulder into the lake. Since the boulder seemed to never touch bottom, they announced the lakes were bottomless. In all likely hood, the boulder was swept aside in a current.
Lea Lake is the deepest lake at 90 feet. Another lake, called Devil's Inkwell, is 32 feet deep and has very steep sides leading to dark water that is the result of algae growth. Lazy Lagoon is in the middle of odorous, treacherous mud flats, which limits its use to viewing waterfowl and wildlife. A visitors center contains exhibits and displays including an inter-active exhibit that displays the shape of the larger lakes.
Lea Lake 90 ft
Lazy Lagoon 90 ft
Devil's Inkwell 32 feet
Figure Eight Lake 37 feet
Pasture Lake 18 feet
Lost Lake 0 (not provided on State Park website)
Cottonwood Lake 30 ft
Mirror Lake 50 ft
Dimmit Lake - (private)
OTHER INFORMATION:
The area is also famous for its "Pecos Diamonds," which are actually quartz crystals formed inside the gypsum in the soil. The soft gypsum sometimes crumbles away, exposing the "diamonds."
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Bottomless Lakes State Park
HC 12, Box 1200
Roswell, NM 88201
Phone: (575) 624-6058
www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/bottomless.htm
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