Paddle Report

Headwaters To Confluence With Las Animas Creek river run

New-Mexico/Snoflo:/Feature, USA Holden Prong Class III-IV
Today high
--
Tonight low
--
Current flow
--
% of normal
58%
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Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
--
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Headwaters To Confluence With Las Animas Creek -- New-Mexico/Snoflo:/Feature paddle run
Headwaters To Confluence With Las Animas Creek New-Mexico/Snoflo:/Feature · Holden Prong
About this run

Headwaters To Confluence With Las Animas Creek

The Whitewater River is a popular destination for kayaking and rafting enthusiasts in New Mexico. The ideal streamflow range for the river is between 500 and 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The river is rated as a Class III-IV, meaning it has moderate to difficult rapids and requires technical skill and experience. The segment from the headwaters to the confluence with Las Animas Creek is approximately 7 miles long and features several challenging rapids, including Deadman's Drop and Power Line Rapid.

Kayakers and rafters should be aware of specific regulations to the area, including a permit requirement for commercial outfitters and a maximum group size of 15 people. The river is also closed to boating during times of high water or when water levels are above 3,000 cfs. It is important for boaters to respect the regulations in place to ensure the safety and preservation of the area.

Overall, the Whitewater River Headwaters to Confluence With Las Animas Creek run is an exciting and challenging adventure for experienced kayakers and rafters. It is important to check current streamflow and regulations before embarking on a trip to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
StateNew-Mexico/Snoflo:/Feature
RiverHolden Prong
ClassIII-IV
Elevation5,909 ft
Current flow--
Percent of normal58%
StreamgageUSGS 08477110
Latitude33.0377°
Longitude-107.7964°
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 Las Animas Creek -- 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 Las Animas Creek 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 Las Animas Creek

What's the optimal flow for Headwaters To Confluence With Las Animas Creek?

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.

Premium feature

Favorites and custom alerts are part of Snoflo Premium. Save runs, set discharge thresholds, and get push notifications when flows hit your window.

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Manage alerts in the Snoflo app

Custom push alerts are configured in the iOS app -- favorite this run, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me at 600 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.

Open App Store