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 350-500 cfs, which provides an exciting and challenging experience without being too dangerous. The class rating for this section is class IV-V, which indicates that it is only suitable for experienced paddlers.
The segment mileage of this section is approximately 10 miles, and it is known for its steep drops, tight chutes, and powerful rapids. Some of the most notable rapids/obstacles include the 'Supermax' rapid, which has a steep and technical entrance, and the 'Box' rapids, which require precise maneuvers through narrow channels.
Specific regulations to the area include the requirement of wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times while on the river. Additionally, permits are required for commercial outfitters who wish to operate on this section of the river.
It is important to note that while this section of the Whitewater River can provide an exhilarating experience, it is also important to exercise caution and ensure that proper safety equipment is used. It is recommended that paddlers and rafters have previous experience on class IV-V rapids before attempting this section of the river.
River Run Details
| Last Updated | 2026-01-12 |
| River Levels | 111 cfs (2.87 ft) |
| Percent of Normal | 224% |
| Status | |
| Class Level | iv-v |
| Elevation | ft |
| Streamflow Discharge | cfs |
| Gauge Height | ft |
| Reporting Streamgage | USGS 08267500 |
Hourly Weather Forecast
Nearby Streamflow Levels
Rio Hondo Near Valdez
|
41cfs |
Red River Below Fish Hatchery
|
40cfs |
Rio Lucero Near Arroyo Seco
|
6cfs |
Red River Near Questa
|
519cfs |
Rio Grande Near Cerro
|
229cfs |
Rio Pueblo De Taos Near Taos
|
6cfs |
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Cebolla Mesa
|
||
La Junta - Wild Rivers Rec Area
|
||
La Junta Campground
|
||
La Junta
|
||
Red River Camp Site Shelter
|
||
Camp Stie
|
Headwaters To Nf Boundary
Bridge On Hwy 522 To Red Wsr
Headwaters To Red River
Long Canyon To Nf Boundary