2026-01-25T08:00:00-07:00
* WHAT...Heavy snow. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches across much of eastern New Mexico with higher amounts of 8 to 16 inches above 9,000 feet. Localized areas in eastern Torrance, Guadalupe, and De Baca counties will receive between 8 and 10 inches. Bitterly cold temperatures will accompany the snow. * WHERE...Much of central to east central New Mexico, including Interstate 40 from Tijeras to Santa Rosa to the Texas border. * WHEN...Until 8 AM MST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Travel will become very difficult to impossible for an extended period of time, most notably along I-40 from Tijeras Canyon to the Texas border. The weight of accumulating snow will stress the power grid, potentially creating outages. An extended period of cold temperatures will increase the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Bitterly cold temperatures will also accompany this winter storm, with the coldest temperatures in the eastern plains of New Mexico. Temperatures will be coldest Sunday and Monday mornings when much of the eastern half of New Mexico will be in the single digits with wind chills below zero.
Summary
The ideal streamflow range for this section is between 500 and 1500 cfs, as anything lower than 500 cfs can be too shallow and anything higher than 1500 cfs can be too dangerous. The class rating for this section is between II to III, meaning that it is suitable for intermediate paddlers.
This section of the Whitewater River Run covers a distance of approximately 8 miles, starting from 15 Springs and ending at the FR 106 Bridge. Along the route, paddlers will encounter several challenging rapids, including the Big Horn Rapid and the Corkscrew Rapid, which require technical paddling skills and experience to navigate.
To ensure the safety of all paddlers, there are specific regulations that must be followed when paddling this section of the river. All paddlers must wear life jackets at all times, and it is recommended that they wear helmets as well. Additionally, motorized watercraft are not allowed on this section of the river, and all paddlers are required to practice Leave No Trace principles, including packing out all trash and waste.
In conclusion, the Whitewater River Run from 15 Springs to FR 106 Bridge in New Mexico is a challenging yet rewarding section for intermediate paddlers. With the ideal streamflow range, class rating, specific river rapids/obstacles, and regulations in place, paddlers can safely enjoy the beauty and excitement of this section of the river.
River Run Details
| Last Updated | 2026-01-22 |
| River Levels | 38 cfs (3.39 ft) |
| Percent of Normal | 81% |
| Status | |
| Class Level | None |
| Elevation | ft |
| Streamflow Discharge | cfs |
| Gauge Height | ft |
| Reporting Streamgage | USGS 08289000 |
Hourly Weather Forecast
Nearby Streamflow Levels
Rio Ojo Caliente At La Madera
|
14cfs |
Rio Chama Below Abiquiu Dam
|
53cfs |
Rio Chama Above Abiquiu Reservoir
|
83cfs |
Rio Chama Near La Puente
|
181cfs |
Rio Chama Below El Vado Dam
|
94cfs |
Rio Grande At Embudo
|
399cfs |
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Canjilon Creek
|
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Canjilon Lakes Campground
|
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Canjilon Lakes
|
||
El Rito
|
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El Rito Campground
|
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Trout Lakes Campground
|
15 Springs To Fr 106 Bridge
Headwaters To Private Land Boundary
El Rito Ranger District Boundary To Felipito Bridge
Headwaters To Nf Boundary