Elephant Butte Reservoir in southern New Mexico is a large freshwater site offering varied topography including volcanic walls, submerged ledges, rocky coves, and historic man-made structures. The Butte itself features steep submerged volcanic walls and large boulders accessible by boat. Other sites include the submerged ruins of an adobe structure at Machine Shop, a historic dam area with artificial reef features, and the rocky outcrops of Rattlesnake Island. Water temperatures range from very cold in winter to warm in summer, with thermal stratification creating a noticeable thermocline. Visibility is generally low but varies between sites.
Fin maps 6 sites in Elephant Butte (4 scuba diving sites and 4 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
5 more sites to explore
