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[[underline]] STINKING LAKE [[/underline]]

(Southeastern corner of Jicarilla Indian Reservation, Rio Arriba County.)
[[underline]] NEW MEXICO [[/underline]]

In this lake we have the star waterfowl breeding ground of all New Mexico. The lake lies in a trough almost on the crest of the Continental Divide. A range of mountains along the east, dip westward gradually, but abrupt on the east. This ridge runs parallel to the Continental Divide, north and south for perhaps twenty-five miles, cut at intervals by outlets and canyons. At one of these outlets, to the north end of the trough, is Rock Lake, about seven miles of it, and at the next gap lies Stinking Lake. I presume this is the largest natural body of water in the State, covering, I judge when up to the spillway, four section. The main body of water lies to the northwest, connected by channel to the rest of the lake, that threads in lakes and channels through the cliffs and hills to the south and southeast, forming two island that are hills themselves.

The lake has an elevation of about 7,000 feet, and a depth, I am told, of 9 feet. It is said the lake is permanent, though at times during dry seasons it gets low. Included with it is a smaller lake that lies east of the main portion of the big lake about 900 yards. This lake is now about ¾ of a mile long, with an average breadth of about 100 yards, although at times, when full, it covers much more country. (Clear Lake).

In the canyon, of the overflow, one-half and a mile, are two more lakes that are of considerable size when filled with the overflow of the main lake. Owing to the great amount of shore line--perhaps 12 miles, and the abundance of rank watergrass, this lake is peculiarly adapted to the breeding of water and marsh birds. The lake is filled with moss; in most places it floats thickly over the surface. This and the tula grass along the shores, is of great aid to nesting birds, by holding the water steady during strong winds.