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 200 and 500 cubic feet per second (cfs). The class rating of this run ranges from Class III-IV, with some technical and steep sections that require advanced paddling skills. The segment distance of this run is approximately 7 miles and may take up to 4-5 hours to complete. Specific river rapids and obstacles include Rock Garden, Pinball, and the Squeeze, which offer exciting maneuvers and challenges for paddlers.
There are specific regulations to follow when embarking on this whitewater adventure. The New Mexico Game and Fish Department regulates fishing in this area, and a valid fishing license is required. The Bureau of Land Management oversees the management of the public lands surrounding the Whitewater River Run, and visitors are required to follow Leave No Trace principles to preserve the natural environment. Additionally, visitors should be aware of private land areas along the river and respect the property rights of landowners.
In summary, the Whitewater River Run from Headwaters to Cabresto Creek is a thrilling adventure for experienced kayakers and rafters. The ideal streamflow range, class rating, segment mileage, specific river rapids, and obstacles provide a challenging and exciting experience. However, visitors must follow specific regulations to ensure the preservation of the natural environment and respect the property rights of landowners.
River Run Details
| Last Updated | 2026-01-12 |
| River Levels | 166 cfs (3.88 ft) |
| Percent of Normal | 365% |
| Status | |
| Class Level | iii-iv |
| Elevation | ft |
| Streamflow Discharge | cfs |
| Gauge Height | ft |
| Reporting Streamgage | USGS 08265000 |
Hourly Weather Forecast
Nearby Streamflow Levels
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Junebug
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Junebug Campground
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Elephant Rock
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Elephant Rock Campground
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Fawn Lakes
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Fawn Lakes Campground
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Headwaters To Cabresto Creek
Headwaters To Red River
Headwaters To Comanche Creek