Since the end of 2020, access to the Portales Water Treatment Ponds has been severely restricted. The property is chain-link fenced and gates are locked, though it may be possible to obtain permission by telephone to enter the facility for birding. Ponds are not visible from outside the fence. Therefore, eBird species-frequency bar charts, as well as the large number of species cited as being observed at the hotspot, are not at all indicative of what most birders will find currently (winter 2022).

The property lies in a rural area and is wooded on its south side (along South Roosevelt Road 7).   However, there isn’t really any place to turn off and park that would not be obstructive to traffic. 

Without access, this hotspot is unlikely to be frequently visited for birding.

The Portales Water Treatment Ponds are no longer publicly accessible.