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RiverBrain

Rio Chama

Cooper's El Vado Ranch to Big Eddy

New Mexico – US

Class
II+ to III
Length
31 Mile(s)
Typical season
January to January
Author
Gremlin

Current Flow

485 CFS

Gauge height: 2.78 FT

Reading from Jul 10, 2026 10:45 PM

31.83/hr (12h) 15.92/hr (24h)

Too Low

Don't bother

Primary gauge
RIO CHAMA BELOW EL VADO DAM, NM Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗ NOAA river forecast ↗

Recommended levels

Minimum600
Average1,000
Maximum4,000

Recommended use

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

Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.

Flow history — last 6 days

Photos

No photos added for this run yet.

Description

Permitted run from Cooper's El Vado Ranch through the designated Wild and Scenic Rio Chama to Big Eddy takeout.  Beautiful sandstone canyons through a Ponderosa pine forest.

Rapids

No rapids added yet.

Access

No river access points added yet.

Camps

No river camps added yet.

Permit

AgencyBLM Taos
Application deadlineJanuary 31

Full permit page →

Fishing

No fish species have been associated with this run yet.

Community Run Notes

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