Rio Embudo river run
Rio Embudo
The Rio Embudo is a popular whitewater river run located in the state of New Mexico. The ideal streamflow range for this river is between 300 and 800 cfs. At this level, the river offers an exciting and challenging class III to IV+ rapids. The segment mileage of the Rio Embudo is around 8 miles, and it takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete the run.
One of the most notable rapids on this river is the "Black Rock" rapid, which is a class IV+ obstacle that requires technical maneuvering and strong paddling skills. Other notable rapids on the Rio Embudo include "Souse Hole," "Screaming Left," and "The Slot."
In terms of regulations, there are no specific permits required to run the Rio Embudo. However, it's essential to respect private property along the river and to avoid trespassing. Additionally, it's important to pack out all trash and leave the area as you found it.
Overall, the Rio Embudo is a challenging and exciting whitewater river run that offers a range of class III to IV+ rapids. With its beautiful scenery and technical obstacles, it's no wonder why it's a popular destination for experienced kayakers and rafters.
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.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
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.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Rio Embudo -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Embudo Creek At Dixon | 4 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Embudo | 264 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande Blw Taos Junction Bridge Near Taos | 252 cfs | → |
| Rio Pueblo Nr Penasco | 7 cfs | → |
| Santa Cruz River Near Cundiyo | 10 cfs | → |
| Rio Ojo Caliente At La Madera | 6 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Boat launches
- County Line Boat Launch
- County Line Boat Takeout
- De Norte Bridge Las Cruces New Mexico Access Point
- Quartzite Boat Takeout
- Quartzite Boat Launch
- Rio Bravo Boat Takeout
Campgrounds
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 Rio Embudo 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.
About Rio Embudo
What's the optimal flow for Rio Embudo?
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.