* 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.
The ideal streamflow range for this run is between 200 and 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The class rating for this run is Class III-IV, which means that the rapids are difficult and require precise maneuvering, with the presence of obstacles such as rocks and drops.
The segment mileage for this run is approximately 6 miles. The river rapids/obstacles include the Headwaters, a Class IV rapid with a tight, technical entrance and a steep drop, and the Pissed Off Rapid, which is a Class III+ rapid with a series of waves and holes. There are also several other Class III rapids, such as the Rattlesnake and the Tumbleweed Rapid.
Specific regulations to the area include the requirement for all boaters to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times, and the prohibition of alcohol and drugs. The area is open to the public for kayaking and rafting, but visitors must obtain a permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office. It is also important to note that the water levels can be unpredictable and dangerous, so it is important to have proper training and experience before attempting this run. Overall, the Whitewater River run Headwaters To Nf Boundary provides a thrilling and challenging experience for experienced kayakers and rafters.
| 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 |
Red River Near Questa
|
519cfs |
Rio Grande Near Cerro
|
229cfs |
Red River Below Fish Hatchery
|
40cfs |
Costilla Creek Near Costilla
|
11cfs |
Costilla Creek Near Garcia
|
2cfs |
Costilla Creek Below Costilla Dam
|
1cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Cabresto Lake
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Cabresto Lake Campground
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La Bobita Campground
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Fawn Lakes
|
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Fawn Lakes Campground
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Elephant Rock Campground
|