Sumner Lake
Edwin Carter
Eagle Nest Lake
Sumner Lake Visitor Center, Sumner Lake State Park, New Mexico

Sumner Lake State Park is situated on the high plains of eastern New Mexico between Santa Rosa and Fort Sumner. The lake is formed by a Bureau of Reclamation dam that was built in 1937 just below the confluence of Alamogordo Creek and the Pecos River. The primary function of the reservoir is to store water for downstream agricultural users. 
EDA completed an interpretive plan for a new visitor center at the park, and designed, fabricated and installed exhibits under a five-year IDIQ (indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity) contract that the firm was awarded by New Mexico State Parks in 2003.

Among the important goals for the new exhibits was to increase awareness of land-based recreational opportunities. When the new visitor center building (which also serves as the park headquarters) was completed, New Mexico was in the grip of a multi-year drought. Demands for irrigation water had nearly drained the lake, and boating and fishing opportunities were virtually nonexistent due to low water levels. Visitation levels had plummeted. Park staff at both the unit and state levels wanted to make the public aware that the resource offered excellent opportunities for hiking and wildlife-viewing even when water levels were down.
 

 

Interpretive objectives included helping visitors understand the hydrologic system of the Pecos River, and appreciate the many demands for its water and who owns the right to use it. Park officials also wanted to show visitors the sustainable building techniques used in the construction of the facility and the native plants that were used in its landscaping.

         Project Highlights

  • one-mile interpretive trail including graphic panels with touchables
  • large-scale mural flanked by interactive “spinners” interactive exhibit on Pecos River hydrology


        EDA Products and        Services

  • interpretive planning
  • interpretive writing and research
  • exhibit design, fabrication and installation