Río Conchos - Peguis Canyon (El Alamo to El Peguis)

Chihuahua-MX  

Description

This run lies just to the south of the Mexico/US border.  The river has been damed upstream of the run and is controlled by dam releases.  The run is only around 18 Km through the Peguis Canyon.  This makes it doable in a day but beware that there is a mandatory portage section in the heart of the canyon.  This section is riddled with rock and debris making a run through here all but impossible regardless of flow.  See the rapid section for portage info.

This run is possible all year long due to the mild desert winters and dam released flows.  The first part of the run flows through open desert for a couple of Kilometers before you get to the Peguis Canyon.  This is mainly class I to II water here.  As you enter the canyon the flow picks up some and there are a few more rapids.  Inside the canyon you will find lots of rock gardens throughout that bumps the difficulty up some.  If you take the portage out of consideration this run is probably a II to III.  Once you exit the canyon the river returns its run through open desert and some farmland as you approach Ojinaga.

El Peguis Canyon is a scenic canyon worth checking out in it's own right.  Adding a float trip through it makes it even better.

Statistics

Class III- to III+
Current Flow Visual or Unknown
Recommended Flow Minimum: 1000.0
Average: 2500.0
Maximum: 5000.0
Typical Season Begins: January
Ends: December
Recommended Use Kayaking: Yes
Rafting: No
Canoeing: No
SUP: No
Packrafting: No
Fishing: No
Primary Gauge VISUAL
Length 18.0 Kilometer(s)
Gradient 3.4 MPK