Grindstone Lake seen as major recreational draw to Ruidoso

Developing Grindstone Reservoir to its maximum attraction for visitors could be a major source of revenue for Ruidoso for decades to come, but officials in the village’s water and community development divisions reminded councilors that the primary purpose for the lake is as a water supply source.

ediment stirred by swimming and boating, as well as swimmers using sunscreen, need to be monitored closely, they said Tuesday during the village council meeting.

Councilors approved moving ahead with construction of a concession and storage building at the reservoir for $69,930 for rental of kayaks and sale of other items and nonperishable food. They specified that while electric won’t currently be available that a conduit be installed on the building pad for possible future use.

Water park feature

But the big news was consideration of purchasing a water park assembly called a Wibit,  and developing a comprehensive plan for the reservoir that includes self-contained restroom and a better approach to parking.

More:June targeted for completion of new campground at Grindstone Reservoir

“Today, we are asking for lodgers tax money to appropriate dollars for conceptual plan and to give us opportunity to go back to the parks commission with recommendations. Before any purchases or actions, we would come back to council with the plans,” Community Development Director Tim Dodge said.

“We recognize and adopted resolution that the primary use is for water and not recreation,” he said. “As we develop this plan, we want to make sure if we are impacting the environment, we have the resources to manage those impacts. I went out Saturday and the amount of  vehicles parked at the top and bottom (was overwhelming) with no regulations at all. When you don’t charge for something, (people) don’t take care of it. We are putting together a plan to provide additional resources to parks development to properly manage and help fund some of concerns of the water department, such as people going past the buoy system (set up for swimming or boating).  Right now, there is no one to enforce that. So we have a lot of concerns about parking, impacts and sanitary services.”

He doesn’t want to see local residents lose their ability to enjoy the lake, because of overcrowding, Dodge said.

” I recommend we continue to develop this plan, but I would encourage moving forward with acquisition of portable restrooms. Other than that, we consult before we purchase the Wibit with the parks commission, report back to the lodgers tax board and come back to council,” he said.

Planning essential

Some of the items listed as needed in a plan included developing a local permit process and designate a permit parking-only area, presenting a fee concept to the parks commission next week that could be brought back in April to the council, establishing a vendor agreement and if the Wibit is approved for this year, setting it up by May.

The reservoir area already accommodates swimming, boating, fishing and soon, camping.

Village water rights specialist Eric Boyda told councilors while the lake supports recreation, its original purpose was for drinking water, “and that still is its primary purpose. As we look at doing these improvements at the facility, the two things on this agenda for improvements at Grindstone, we have to remember that Grindstone Reservoir is a dynamic system.”

More:Electric motors for recreation and rescue allowed on Grindstone Lake

The level of the reservoir will fluctuate based on demand, stream flow and balancing the village’s water rights, he said.

“If there is no water coming, we are not going to get water into the reservoir” Boyda said. “We need to make sure we are aware of that and not pushing recreation there when there is not space.”

Dodge said several issues are involved and village departments need to be able to review each segment of development.

“We realize there is a big picture for this facility,” Dodge said, adding that the lake can foster economic development, but impacts to the environment and the lake must be mitigated, proper planning and a comprehensive approach must occur.

Environmental issues

Randy Koehn, who heads the water treatment division, said he spoke to two state environment officials about the Wibit and at this point, they seem agreeable.

Last year, he voiced his concerns about the turbidity going up in the lake.

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“When they started swimming last year, we kept a close eye on it and also had the ability to change intakes,” he said. He did an anaylsis and compiled a 33-page report. “I think it will be O.K. My only major concern is when we get a lot of people in the water and they are splashing and churning up the sand and creating turbidity. I think we have some ways to control it. My priority is providing the best quality water to the village.”

Councilor Tim Coughlin agreed planning is needed, because, “I think it is going to draw a ton of people.”

Village Manage Debi Lee said, “A lot has to happen, but within last year or two we have recognized how popular the lake is.”

Improvements are need in parking and restrooms and ways to generate some additional recreational funding so the parks and recreation director can continue developing more recreation and services.

“We want to assure you, we are taking it strategically slow and building a timeline,” she said. “If it is not right to purchase now, we will wait on the Wibit until next year.  We need to decide on an entrance fee. We’re becoming very popular destination and we’re giving away services for free and have to look at sustaining (the parks and recreation) department.”