Two Rivers Dam
RV Guide
Introduction
Two Rivers Dam gets its name from the two earth-fill dams it consists of. Each of these dams has its own reservoir, and a saddle dike separates them. When it floods, the reservoirs remain separate until the waters reach 4000 feet above sea level and 49 feet below the maximum pool elevation. That’s when the two reservoirs combine to form one giant lake. The total storage capacity of the two dams for flood control is 164,000 acre-feet.
The first one is the Northern Dam or more popularly known as the Diamond ‘A’ Dam, which crosses the Hondo River. The Northern Dam is 5000 feet long and 95 feet tall. Across the top of the dam, a two-lane gravel road spans around it that is open to the general public.
The Southern Dam is also called the Rocky Dam. This one is 2950 feet long and 107 feet tall. This Dam crosses the Rocky Arroyo and is often drier than its counterpart.
The area surrounding the Two Rivers Dam is open to the public. Just a mile from the Diamond ‘A’ Dam is an overlook shelter, restrooms, and a picnic area. The Two Rivers Dam is a popular choice for an outdoor getaway amongst the locals and tourists who flock to the day-use picnic area and enjoy their day surrounded by water, nature, and scenic views of the surrounding landscape.
RV Rentals in Two Rivers Dam
Transportation
Driving
Two Rivers Dam is located west of Roswell, New Mexico. Head west on US-380, W/US-70 W/W 2nd Street, toward N Richardson Avenue. Turn left onto Buchanan Draw Road, and turn right onto Buchanan Road. Continue onto Buchanan Road. Keep going straight onto 2 Rivers Dam Road/County Rd 145, continue to follow 2 Rivers Dam Road and your destination will be on the right.
Roads are generally well maintained, and you shouldn't have too much trouble navigating them even in larger rigs. Just make sure to take your time and pull over where possible to let faster traffic pass. After all, you're on vacation.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Two Rivers Dam
Campsites in Two Rivers Dam
Reservations camping
Lea Lake Campground
Two Rivers Dam does not have any campgrounds of its own. Luckily for RV camping enthusiasts who would like to spend time around the dam area, Bottomless Lakes State Park is less than an hour’s drive away. Its Lea Lake Campground facilities are just what you need after spending the day enjoying the region's many recreational activities.
The Lea Lake Campground boasts 32 campsites in total. Six campsites have full hookups, whereas 26 campsites have water and electric hookups. Electric hookups are either 30 amps or 50 amps. The campground has an RV dump station, restrooms equipped with showers, and a group shelter area. All the campsites have long, leveled gravel pull-thru pads, and they are well-separated and provides maximum privacy. Pets are allowed at the campground.
Seasonal activities in Two Rivers Dam
In-Season
Fishing
It’s impossible not to have fishing opportunities when there are two rivers involved in a project. The Two Rivers Dam allows anglers to indulge in their favorite sports and challenge themselves with many species of fish before them. You can also head to the Bottomless Lake nearby, which is stocked in winter with rainbow trout.
Hunting
Those who love to hunt would surely fall in love with the area around Two Rivers Dam. The management permits hunting on a walk-in basis only at the dam, where game bird species include mourning dove and scaled quail.
Other animals for hunting include pronghorn antelope, black-tailed prairie dog, mule deer, porcupine, black-tailed jackrabbit, cottontail rabbit, and various species of rodents.
Hunting rules are to be followed, as stated by the New Mexico Game and Fish Regulations.
Hiking
Just a little ways off the Two Rivers Dam is the Zinker Canyon Trail Head. It’s an easy 2.0 miles long trail and begins from Forest Road 5593 and ends at Forest Road 5660. The trail also permits horseback riders, mountain bikers, and motorcycle trail riders to enjoy the views and natural surroundings around this vast body of water.
Bluff Trails is another excellent hiking trail near Two Rivers Dam and is also about two miles in length and even features a lake. The trail is suitable for all skill levels and used frequently for hiking, nature trips, walking, and mountain biking.
Off-Season
Picnicking
Two Rivers Dam offers an evening of staring at the sky, enjoying the soft cool breeze from the rivers, and appreciating the moment with your loved ones as you enjoy your picnic and munch on your favorite snacks.
The Two Rivers recreation area has recently introduced six new and spacious day-use picnic shelters along with a brand new sanitary facility. The day-use area includes an overlook shelter, restrooms, and picnic area. The day-use area is located about a mile from Diamond ‘A’ Dam.
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
New Mexico has an abundant supply of water, and Roswell happens to be home to several rivers and lakes and water bodies. All that water has attracted 357 species of birds, 24 types of fish species, 59 different mammals, and around 50 species of reptiles and amphibians. Plus, over 100 species of dragonflies and damselflies take refuge in the mountains and forests around Roswell.
Moreover, the refuge’s wetlands also provide homes to thousands of migrating birds. Make sure to head Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge when you visit Two Rivers Dam.
Photography
Wildlife and nature photographers, as well as outdoor enthusiasts in general, will love to be near Two Rivers Dam for a chance to get close to the prairie wildlife, including mule deer, antelope, and various types of birds. The reason behind such a rich habitat of multiple species of birds and mammals is the variety of ecological conditions.
The area is a crossroads where the Chihuahuan Desert blends into short grass prairie, the Pecos River, and the Roswell artesian basin. As a result, some unique and rare ecological conditions allow wildlife and nature photographers to capture amazing shots of desert animals, wetlands, and wetland-dependent wildlife.
