The Eagle Nest Lake COA spans approximately 7,764 ha (19,185 ac) and is nestled within a basin of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It extends from Eagle Nest to Angel Fire and encompasses the reservoir fed by the Cimarron River.

The majority of the land (~80%) in this COA is privately owned, while the remaining area is managed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (Department) (19.5%) and the USFS (0.5%). Currently, no portion of this COA is protected.

The COA supports 13 native vegetation habitats and two ruderal or introduced vegetation types, along with agricultural vegetation, barren areas, developed and urban spaces, and open water. The dominant habitats include Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Meadow and Grassland (24%) and Montane-Subalpine Wet Shrubland and Wet Meadow (19%). Additionally, Rocky Mountain Montane Shrubland (13%) and Rocky Mountain Lower Montane Forest (11%) are also abundant. Perennial aquatic habitats include 546 ha (1,348 ac) of cold-water reservoirs.

A total of 22 SGCN are found (either observed or with potential habitat) within the COA, including four classified as Conservation Impact Species (I) and eight as Current Focal Species (F). This COA has very high potential to contain microclimate refugia for birds and cold-water fish and macroclimate refugia for terrestrial species. This COA also has high potential to contain microclimate refugia for amphibians and some potential to contain microclimate refugia for mammals and reptiles.

Related Resources

• Conservation Opportunity Areas section in SWAP document