El Vado Lake to Abiquiu Reservoir on the Rio Chama

West, NM
Class 2–3Permit Required4005000 CFS
About This River
A classic New Mexico canyon run through remote sandstone walls and cottonwood-lined banks. Flows are controlled by releases from El Vado Dam, making this a reliable multi-day rafting and kayaking destination.

7-Day Forecast

Tue
Jan 27
43°
8 mph NW
Sunny
Wed
Jan 28
46°
5 mph NW
Mostly Sunny
Thu
Jan 29
47°
2%
3 mph N
Sunny
Fri
Jan 30
48°
3 mph N
Sunny
Sat
Jan 31
51°
3 mph N
Sunny
Sun
Feb 1
55°
0 mph
Mostly Sunny
River Details

River System

Rio Chama River

Flow Regime

dam-release

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Permit Information

Permit System

Recreation.gov

Season

01-0112-31

Notes

Controlled releases from El Vado Dam

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Flow Information

Ideal Flow Range

4005,000 CFS

USGS Station

08285500

View Current Flow