On the Rio Grande, in the U.S. state of New Mexico, sits Leasburg Dam State Park. It offers chances to go camping, hiking, picnicking, swimming, and watching animals. The ancient Fort Seldon State Monument is nearby, while Las Cruces is a 15-mile drive to the south. Leasburg’s dam was finished in 1908. The area is known for its rich history; early settlers used it as a passage to Jornada del Muerto, and the nearby site of a 19th-century army outpost serves as a reminder of a time not too long ago. Its purpose is not to hold back the flow of the river, but rather to divert it into a system of canals for use by nearby farms.
Camping, picnics, and birdwatching are all year round activities at Leasburg Dam State Park. The park also serves as a location for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking in the Rio Grande from around mid-March to mid-October. The Mesilla Valley is irrigated by the dam using water from the Rio Grande. Nearby a museum and a variety of trails are located near Fort Seldon State Monument.