Paddle Report

Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Grande Del Rancho river run

New-Mexico, USA Rito De La Olla Class III-IV
Today high
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Tonight low
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Current flow
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% of normal
8%
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Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
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Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Grande Del Rancho -- New-Mexico paddle run
Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Grande Del Rancho New-Mexico · Rito De La Olla
About this run

Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Grande Del Rancho

The Whitewater River, located in northern New Mexico, is an exciting destination for adventurous kayakers and rafters. The ideal streamflow range for this river run is between 400 and 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), which typically occurs in the months of May and June. The river is rated Class III-IV, with rapids and obstacles such as "The Box," "The Maze," and "The Chute."

The segment mileage of the Whitewater River run is approximately 12 miles, starting at the headwaters and ending at the confluence with Rio Grande Del Rancho. It is important to note that this river run is not for beginner paddlers and requires experience and skill.

There are specific regulations to the area, including a permit requirement from the Bureau of Land Management. Additionally, all boaters must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) and have a throw bag and whistle on hand. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted on the river, and camping is only allowed in designated areas.

Overall, the Whitewater River run is a thrilling and challenging adventure for experienced paddlers. It is important to adhere to the regulations and safety guidelines to ensure a successful and enjoyable trip. Sources for this information include American Whitewater and the Bureau of Land Management.
StateNew-Mexico
RiverRito De La Olla
ClassIII-IV
Elevation7,267 ft
Current flow--
Percent of normal8%
StreamgageUSGS 08275500
Latitude36.2622°
Longitude-105.5328°
Detailed forecast

Plan your run down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.

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Regional flow

Regional streamflow levels

USGS streamgauges around Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Grande Del Rancho -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.

Whitewater safety

Check the flow before you run
Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
Know your skill ceiling
Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
Wear the right gear
Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
Scout, set safety, and run with a team
Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
Respect the river
Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.

Set push alerts in the Snoflo app

Save Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Grande Del Rancho as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.

FAQ

About Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Grande Del Rancho

What's the optimal flow for Headwaters To Confluence With Rio Grande Del Rancho?

The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.

How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?

The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.

What's the whitewater class?

See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.

Where do I put in / take out?

Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.

Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?

Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.