SNOFLO

NEW MEXICO RIVER RUNS

December 24 2024

New Mexico offers a variety of thrilling whitewater opportunities for kayaking and rafting enthusiasts. One popular destination is the Rio Grande, particularly the Taos Box section. This 16-mile stretch of river features Class IV rapids and stunning views of the surrounding canyons. The optimal streamflow level for the Taos Box is between 500-800 cubic feet per second, providing a challenging yet enjoyable experience for experienced paddlers. Another must-visit spot is the Chama River, known for its scenic beauty and diverse rapids ranging from Class II to Class IV. The optimal streamflow level for the Chama River is between 400-800 cubic feet per second, ensuring a fun and safe journey for all skill levels.

For those seeking a more remote and challenging adventure, the Pecos River offers a rugged and wild experience with Class III-IV rapids. The best time to paddle the Pecos River is during the spring runoff when streamflow levels are higher, usually around 300-600 cubic feet per second. Safety is paramount when navigating New Mexico's whitewater rivers, so be sure to check streamflow levels, wear appropriate gear, and always paddle with a buddy. By following these tips and exploring the diverse whitewater opportunities in New Mexico, you're sure to have an unforgettable and exhilarating experience on the water.

Kayak

Location	Streamflow (cfs)	Difficulty (class)
Headwaters In Gila National Forest To Eastern Boundary Of Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument	1	II-IV
1/4 Mile Below The Power Lines To Confluence With The San Francisco River	1	NONE
1.5 Miles Above Confluence Of Left And Right Creek On Left Prong To Confluence Of Left And Right Prongs Dix Creek	1	III-IV
Headwaters Nf Rio Ruidoso To Nf Boundary	12	II-III
Confluence Of 2 Headwaters For South Fork (Sec 28, T10s, R11e) To Southern Boundary Of South Fork Campground	12	II-III
Headwaters (Sec 27, T8s, R17e) To Confluence Of Streams In Sec 34, T8s, R17e	12	III
Headwaters (Hale Canyon) To Nf Boundary	0	III-IV
Headwaters To Eastern Boundary Private Land	0	III-IV
Arizona/New Mexico State Line To Confluence With Harden Cienega Creek	15	NONE
Confluence With Harden Cienega Creek To Apache Sitgreaves National Forest Boundary	15	II-III+
Nf Boundary With Silva Ranch To The East To Nf Boundary With Tnc To The South	0	III-IV
15 Springs To Fr 106 Bridge	20	NONE
Headwaters (Off Continental Divide) To Nf Boundary With Private Land	0	III-IV
Headwaters To Nf Boundary	2	III-IV
North Boundary Of K135 To Southern Tip Of K136	69	III-IV
Concrete Bridge To Nf Boundary	228	III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With San Leonardo	228	V
Confluence With San Leonardo To Nf Boundary	30	III
Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Pueblo	30	II-III
Confluence With Rio Angostura To Osha Diversion	30	III+-IV
Headwaters To Junction Of Trails 707/68 (Sec 35, T12s, R11w)	3	NONE
Headwaters To Aldo Leopold Wilderness Boundary	65	III-IV
Aldo Leopold Wilderness Boundary To Gila Wilderness Boundary	65	III-IV
Gila Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With East Fork Gila River	1	NONE
Gila Wilderness Boundary (Below Snow Lake) To Gila Wilderness Boundary (Sec 24, T12s, R14w)	1	III-IV
Headwaters To Northern Boundary Gila Cliff Dwellings Nm	1	II-III
Headwaters To Red River	0	NONE
Headwaters To Cabresto Creek	32	III-IV
Headwaters To Cabresto Lake	32	III-IV
Headwaters To Private Land Boundary	58	III
Spring Creek To Private Land Boundary	20	III-V
Hopewell Lake To Nf Boundary	58	NONE
Eastern Boundary Of Private Land Along Sitting Bull Canyon In Sec 19, T24s, R22e To Eastern Nf Boundary	0	III-IV
El Rito Ranger District Boundary To Felipito Bridge	58	III+
(La Cueva, Flechado, Gallegos, Tio Maes, La Presa) To Osha Diversion	30	II-III
Northern Boundary Nm To Eastern Boundary Gila Cliff Dwellings Nm	1	II-III
Trail 810 To Private Land Boundary (T11s, R19w, Sec 6)	15	II-III
Headwaters To Trail 810	15	II-III
Below Ellis Ranch To Private Land Boundary	2	III-IV
Headwaters To Nf Boundary (To Eastern Parcel Of Forest Valley Subdivision)	0	NONE
Serna Land Grant Boundary To Nf Boundary	6	III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Grande Del Rancho	6	III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Rito De La Olla	6	II-III
Headwaters To Confluence With Big Dry Creek	15	II-III
Headwaters To Confluence With Las Animas Creek	3	III-IV
Junction Of Water Canyon And Holden Prong To Aldo Leopold Wilderness Boundary	3	III-IV
Aldo Wilderness Boundary To Nf Boundary	1	III-IV
Headwaters To Comanche Creek	0	II-III
Private Land Boundary Below Canjilon To Nf Boundary	97	III
Fr 106 Bridge To Confluence With Rio Chama	448	II-III
Confluence With Rito De La Olla To Nf Boundary	6	III
Goose Creek To Fawn Lakes Campground	32	III-IV
Headwaters To Red River/Upper Gaging Station	32	NONE
Abiqui Dam To El Rito Creek	448	III
Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Confluence With Vaqueros Canyon	348	II-III
Jicarilla Apache Reservation Boundary To Nf Boundary	348	NONE
Headwaters To Alamitos Diversion	30	III-IV
Headwaters To Santa Barbara Campground	228	NONE
Santa Barbara Cg To Concrete Bridge On Fr 116	228	III-IV
Headwaters Of Three Rivers, Including 5 Segments Branching South And East To Western Nf Boundary At Three Rivers Campground	12	II-IV
Nf Boundary To Above Mccrystal Campground	0	III-IV
Confluence Of Turkey Canyon And Robinson Draw (Sec 33, T24s, R22e) To Confluence Of Turkey And Dark Canyons In Sec 26, T24s, R22e	0	III-III
Confluence Of Horse Canyon Headwaters In Sec 11, T25s, R22e To Confluence Of Horse And Payne Canyons In Sec 1, T25s, R22e	0	III
Headwaters Of Horse Spring In Sec 13, T25s, R22e To Confluence Of Horse Spring And Horse Canyon In Sec 11, T25s, R22e	0	III-IV
Headwaters Of Side Channel In Sec 12, T25s, R22e To Horse Canyon In Sec 2, T25s, R22e	0	III-II
Headwaters In Sec 12, T25s, R22e To Payne Canyon In Sec 1, T25s, R22e	0	III-IV
Long Canyon To Nf Boundary	14	III-IV
Northern Boundary Of Sec 25, T18s, R11e To Confluence Of Sacramento River And Apple Tree Canyon	10	III-IV
Confluence Of Western Headwaters (Sec 36, T18s, R12e) To Northern Boundary Of Private Land	18	III-IV
Headwaters Rio Penasco, Water Canyon And Benson Canyon To Confluence Of Benson Canyon And Rio Penasco Sec 10, T17s, R12e	10	III-IV
Headwaters To Red John Box	721	III-IV
Red John Box To Nf Boundary	721	III-IV
Headwaters Of Middle Fork Big Canyon And North Fork Big Canyon To Nf Boundary	0	NONE
Headwaters Of Cottonwood Canyon In Sec 32, T25s, R22e To Confluence Of Cottonwood And Dark Canyons In Sec 10, T25s, R22e	0	III-V
Southern Boundary Of Sec 3, T26s, R21e Along Dark Canyon To Confluence Of Dark And Fir Canyons In Sec 25, T25s, R21e	0	III-IV
Headwaters Of Channel In Sec 9, T24s, R22e To Sitting Bull Canyon	0	III-IV
Pine Canyon (East Of Private Land In Sec 26, T24s, R21e) To Confluence Of Sitting Bull Canyon And Last Chance Canyon	0	III-IV
Eastern Boundary Sec 12, T18s, R10e To Nf Boundary At Oliver Lee State Park	10	II-III
Headwaters To Comanche Point	0	III-IV
Main Fresnal Canyon From Eastern Boundary Sec 6, T16s, R11e To Main Fresnal Canyon To The Western Boundary Sec 6, R16s, R11e	10	III-IV
Headwaters Of Big Canyon To Nf Boundary	0	III-IV
Bridge On Hwy 522 To Red Wsr	49	III-IV
Headwaters Of All Streams Within Mckittrick Canyon Watershed To Nf Boundary	0	II-III
Eastern Boundary Of Private Land In Sec 2, T25s, R22e To Confluence Of Turkey And Dark Canyons In Sec 26, T24s, R22e	0	III-IV
Headwaters To Costilla Creek	0	III
Nf Boundary To Nf Boundary	0	III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Diamond Creek	3	III
1/4 Mile Above The Powerlines To 1/4 Mile Below The Powerlines	1	NONE
0.5miles Above Confluence Of Left And Right Prongs Dix Creek On Left Prong To 0.1 Miles Above Diversion On Dix Creek	15	II-III
Gila	19	V
Trampas	15	III-IV
Bluewater Creek	2	III-IV
Rio Grande	35	NONE
Rio Pueblo De Taos	276	III-IV
Tierra Amarilla	35	II-III
Rio Nutrias	100	NONE
Rio Embudo	15	III-IV
Arroyo Hondo	276	NONE
Rio Bonito	12	III-IV
Ojo Sarco	15	II-III
Agua Caliente	6	III-IV

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