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RiverBrain

Chihuahua – MX

Class
IV to V
Length
75 Mile(s)
Gradient
17 FPM
Typical season
July to December
Author
Neil Nikirk

Current Flow

Visual or unknown

No gauge reading is available for this run — check it on site.

Visual

Recommended levels

Minimum500
Average1,500
Maximum3,500

Recommended use

  • Kayaking
  • Rafting
  • Canoeing
  • SUP
  • Packrafting
  • Fishing

Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.

Photos

No photos added for this run yet.

Description

With beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife, and relatively easy access, the upper Rio Sirupa is destined to become a classic run straddling the Chihuahua/Sonora border. Above the confluence with the Rio Papagochic at La Junta, the Rio Verde offers a scenic Class II float. The real reason to run this section is to access the upper Rio Sirupa. The canyon is quite pretty and we saw a “band” of coatis that were fun to watch. Below La Junta are several enjoyable Class III and IV rapids with a few larger rapids (some Class V) of note that should be scouted and portaged if you don’t like the looks of them. Access at the town of Sirupa allows for a shorter trip with most of the major rapids. However, the remaining 20+ miles down to Aguas Termales Huapoca are worth it if you are up to running or portaging Cascada Sirupa. This would also make a nice day trip out of Madera.

Rapids

No rapids added yet.

Access

No river access points added yet.

Camps

No river camps added yet.

Permit

No permit is required, or permit info hasn't been added yet.

Fishing

No fish species have been associated with this run yet.

Community Run Notes

Total community notes: 1

Flow Gages: Measured at the Guapoca gage (about 4 miles upstream of the takeout at Aguas Termales Huapoca)
http://www.conagua.gob.mx/spr/guapoca.html


“Real-time” flow data in the Rio Sirupa near the take-out are available in the daily Regional Reportes de Presas at:
http://www.conagua.gob.mx/OCNO07/Contenido/Documentos/infor-diaria.pdf


Look for YAQUI in the “ESTACION” column of the HIDROMETRIA table and read the flow for Guapoca in the “GASTO” column. This will be the approximate flow in cumecs (cms) just above the take-out. Multiply by 35 for cfs. Suitable flows on the Guapoca gage probably range from about 60 cms (low) to 200 cms (high).

“Real-time” flow data in the Rio Papagochic which joins the Rio Verde at La Junta are available in the daily Regional Reportes de Presas at:
http://www.conagua.gob.mx/OCNO07/Contenido/Documentos/infor-diaria.pdf


Look for Abraham Gonzales in the “PRESA” column and read the outflow in the “SALIDAS O.T.(Qm)” column. This will be the approximate outflow into the Rio Papagochic in cumecs (cms). Multiply by 35 for cfs. You will probably want at least 20 cms to paddle the Rio Papagochic, higher for rafts. 20 to 30 cms in the Papagochic should also provide minimally boatable flows in the Rio Sirupa downstream of La Junta.


Estimated flows at La Junta http://www.conagua.gob.mx/spr/lajunta.html are sometimes available but don’t seem particularly reliable compared to the active gages where flows are measured. However, this gage does give an idea of recent flow trends in the upper part of the
run.

Additional information on this and other runs in the Yaqui Watershed is available in a new guidebook available on Amazon, Smashwords, or from the author at http://golightoutdoors.com/book-table-3/

nnikirk62 · Oct 17, 2016

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