RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – Bonito Lake will be closed until further notice due to the Blue 2 Fire burning about eight miles north of Ruidoso.
Bonito Lake was supposed to reopen on May 25 but closed because of the fire. The lake was closed for 12 years because of damage from the Little Bear Fire.
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The City of Alamogordo, which is in charge of the lake, assessed the lake on May 26 and found three significant areas below the cofferdam that could cause damage similar to the events of the Little Bear Fire.
To protect the lake, city officials said they took action to mitigate potential runoff effects due to the upcoming monsoon season.
Emergency funding was secured, and a local contractor was hired to take a proactive approach. The city said 30,000 tons of soil will be removed to create several sediment ponds along Kraut and Littleton Canyons and the parking lot located east of West Lake Campground. The project is expected to be completed within 10-16 days.
The city said it is working with federal, state, and local governments for repair, recovery, and future mitigation efforts.
