imported>Kehkou: Update regarding public access to waterways on private land in New Mexico

2025-06-27T02:26:28Z

Update regarding public access to waterways on private land in New Mexico

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{{Short description|River of Colorado and New Mexico in the US}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Rio Chama
| name_native =
| name_native_lang =
| name_other =
| name_etymology =

| image = Rio Chama River.jpg
| image_caption = The Rio Chama near [[Abiquiú, New Mexico]]
| image_size = 300
| map = Rio-Chama-NM-Map-USACE-2007.png
| map_size = 300
| map_caption = Map of the Rio Chama within New Mexico, showing reservoirs and "wild and scenic" stretch
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_size = 300
| pushpin_map_caption=

| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type2 = State
| subdivision_name2 = [[New Mexico]], [[Colorado]]
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_type4 = Counties
| subdivision_name4 = [[Rio Arriba County, New Mexico]], [[Archuleta County, Colorado]], [[Conejos County, Colorado]]
| subdivision_type5 =
| subdivision_name5 =

| length = {{convert|130|mi|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=gearth/>
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location= [[USGS]] gage 08290000, 2.8 miles above mouth<ref name="wdr">{{cite web |title= Water resources data for the United States, Water Year 2009; gage 08290000, Rio Chama near Chamita, NM |publisher= [[USGS]] |url= http://wdr.water.usgs.gov/wy2009/pdfs/08290000.2009.pdf |access-date= 21 July 2010}}</ref>
| discharge1_min = {{convert|1.2|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|571|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="wdr">{{cite web |title= Water resources data for the United States, Water Year 2009; gage 08290000, Rio Chama near Chamita, NM |publisher= [[USGS]] |url= http://wdr.water.usgs.gov/wy2009/pdfs/08290000.2009.pdf |access-date= 21 July 2010}}</ref>
| discharge1_max = {{convert|15000|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}

| source1 = Confluence of [[West Fork Rio Chama|West Fork]] and [[East Fork Rio Chama|East Fork]]
| source1_location = [[San Juan Mountains]], [[Rio Grande National Forest]], [[Colorado]]
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|37|05|36|N|106|33|06|W|display=inline}}<ref name="gnis">{{GNIS|923661|Rio Chama}}</ref>
| source1_elevation = {{convert|9440|ft|abbr=on}}<ref>''Chama Peak, Colorado,'' 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1957 (1974 rev.)</ref>
| mouth = [[Rio Grande]]
| mouth_location = [[San Juan Indian Reservation]], [[New Mexico]]
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|36|2|32|N|106|5|16|W|display=inline,title}}<ref name=gnis/>
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|5620|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=gnis/>
| progression =
| river_system =
| basin_size = {{convert|3144|sqmi|abbr=on}}<ref name=wdr/>
| tributaries_left =
| tributaries_right =
| custom_label =
| custom_data =
| extra = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = nwsr
| designation1_type = Wild, Scenic
| designation1_date = November 7, 1988
| designation1_number =
}}
}}
The '''Rio Chama''', a major tributary river of the [[Rio Grande]], is located in the [[U.S. state]]s of [[Colorado]] and [[New Mexico]]. The river is about {{convert|130|mi|km}} long altogether. From its source to [[El Vado Dam]] its length is about {{convert|50|mi|km}}, from El Vado Dam to [[Abiquiu Dam]] is about {{convert|51|mi|km}}, and from Abiquiu Dam to its confluence with the Rio Grande is about {{convert|34|mi|km}}.<ref name="gearth">Calculated in [[Google Earth]]</ref>

The name "Chama" is a shortened version of the [[Tewa language|Tewa]] term {{Lang|tew|tsąmą' ǫŋwįkeyi}}, meaning "wrestling pueblo-ruin".<ref name="Bright2004">{{cite book|last=Bright|first=William|author-link=William Bright|title=Native American placenames of the United States|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5XfxzCm1qa4C&pg=PA87|access-date=11 April 2011|year=2004|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|isbn=978-0-8061-3598-4|page=87}}</ref><ref>The namesake pueblo ruin is at {{coord|36.1953174|-106.2145758|format=dms|type:landmark|display=inline}}</ref>

==Course==
[[File:Rio Chama below Abiquiu Dam.jpg|thumb|left|upright 2|The Rio Chama viewed from US highway 84 between [[Abiquiú, New Mexico]], and [[Abiquiu Dam]]]]

The Rio Chama originates in south-central Colorado, just above the New Mexico border in the [[San Juan Mountains]] and [[Rio Grande National Forest]]. The [[main stem]] Rio Chama begins at the confluence of two short headwater tributaries called [[West Fork Rio Chama|West Fork]] and [[East Fork Rio Chama|East Fork]]. The West Fork flows eastward from the [[Continental Divide of the Americas|Continental Divide]]. Across the divide lies the [[Navajo River]], one of the headwater tributaries of the [[Colorado River]]. The East Fork extends a few miles into [[Conejos County, Colorado]] to a source near one of the headwater tributaries of the [[Conejos River]]. The confluence of the forks lies just within [[Archuleta County, Colorado]]. From there the Rio Chama flows generally south. After a few miles the river enters Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, and flows by the town of [[Chama, New Mexico|Chama]]. The tributary Willow Creek joins the Rio Chama after being impounded as [[Heron Lake (New Mexico)|Heron Lake]] by [[Heron Dam]]. Willow Creek flows from the dam about {{convert|1000|ft|m}} to the Rio Chama. A couple miles below that the Rio Chama flows into [[El Vado Lake]], a reservoir created by [[El Vado Dam]].<ref name="topo">General course info from USGS topographic maps</ref>

From El Vado Dam the Rio Chama continues flowing south, entering Chama Canyon and [[Santa Fe National Forest]] and the [[Chama River Canyon Wilderness]]. It is joined by Rio Cebolla from the east,<ref>{{GNIS|910234|Rio Cebolla}}</ref> then [[Rio Gallina (Chama River)|Rio Gallina]] from the west.<ref>{{GNIS|910239|Rio Gallina}}</ref> Then the river enters [[Abiquiu Lake]], the reservoir created by [[Abiquiu Dam]]. The tributary [[Rio Puerco (Rio Chama)|Rio Puerco]] joins the Rio Chama in Abiquiu Lake.<ref name=topo/>

Below Abiquiu Dam the Rio Chama flows generally east, skirting the edge of [[Carson National Forest]]. It flows by the town of [[Abiquiú, New Mexico|Abiquiú]], located at the mouth of Abiquiu Creek, after which it turns to flow generally southeast. Near the villages of Chili and La Chuachia the Rio Chama is joined by two of its primary tributaries. The [[Rio del Oso]] joins from the west then, within less than a mile, the [[Rio Ojo Caliente]] joins from the northeast. From there the Rio Chama flows several miles southeast to join the Rio Grande near [[Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico|Ohkay Owingeh]], about {{convert|5|mi|km}} north of the city of [[Española, New Mexico|Española]] and approximately {{convert|30|mi|km|}} north of [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]].<ref name=topo/>

==History==
The Rio Chama has been used by humans for nearly 10,000 years, dating from the time when camels and Columbian mammoths roamed the southwestern United States.<ref name="southwestpaddler1">{{cite web|url=http://southwestpaddler.com/docs/riograndenm14.html |title=Rio Chama, New Mexico |publisher=Southwestpaddler.com |access-date=2012-02-23}}</ref> In 1988, the {{convert|24.6|mi|km|adj=on}} section known as Chama Canyon was designated as a [[National Wild and Scenic River]] by the U.S. Congress.

==Recreation==
[[File:Dvorak Sp1995 RioChama NM.jpg|thumb| An early spring rafting trip down the Rio Chama in New Mexico]]
===Whitewater boating===
The upper river is characterized by huge boulders that create difficult holes, sizeable drops and hidden/sunken driftwood that test experienced whitewater boaters. The first 6-{{convert|7.5|mi|km}} of this reach above El Vado Lake in New Mexico is a Class IV to VI whitewater run of great intensity that is only suitable for expert whitewater kayakers. The rest of this run can be made by canoeists and kayakers with at least strong intermediate level whitewater skills on Class I to III water that drops through deep canyons on its way to the lake. Below El Vado Lake the river is a Class II to III run for almost anybody with intermediate or higher level whitewater skills. After passing through Abiquiu Lake, the river passes through private land, however, the constitution of New Mexico provides for public access to the waterway as long as individuals remain within the banks of the river.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez Announces Effort to Ensure Public Access to Rivers and Streams in New Mexico - New Mexico Department of Justice |url=https://nmdoj.gov/press-release/new-mexico-attorney-general-raul-torrez-announces-effort-to-ensure-public-access-to-rivers-and-streams-in-new-mexico/ |access-date=June 26, 2025}}</ref><ref name="southwestpaddler1"/>

The popular section for most paddlers is the {{convert|31.1|mi|km}} from El Vado Ranch down through Chama Canyon and Chavez Canyon to the Big Eddy access above Abiquiu Reservoir near US 84.

===Fishing===
The Rio Chama and its tributaries offer excellent fly fishing for trout. Ten miles of the Rio Chama, above the mouth of Wolf Creek ({{convert|4|mi|km}} below the New Mexico border), public waterway easement runs through private land, restricting access to streambeds-only on the Rio Chama and Wolf Creek.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez Announces Effort to Ensure Public Access to Rivers and Streams in New Mexico - New Mexico Department of Justice |url=https://nmdoj.gov/press-release/new-mexico-attorney-general-raul-torrez-announces-effort-to-ensure-public-access-to-rivers-and-streams-in-new-mexico/ |access-date=December 9, 2024}}</ref> The Rio Chama at this point holds wild browns with cutthroats in Wolf Creek and rainbows in both streams. The Rio Chamita flows into the Rio Chama, {{convert|9|mi|km}} below the Wolf Creek confluence with the Rio Chama. Access to the Rio Chamita is from a dirt road one and a half miles north of the town of [[Chama, New Mexico|Chama]].

North of Chama on NM 17 there is good trout fly fishing. There are special regulations on this stretch of the Rio Chama. Fifteen miles south of Chama on US 64/84 is the confluence of the [[Rio Brazos (New Mexico)|Rio Brazos]] with the Rio Chama. Most of this run of the Rio Chama is on private land, except for a {{convert|4|mi|km|adj=on}}-long stretch south of Chama.

Below its confluence with the Rio Brazos, the Rio Chama offers several miles of excellent fly fishing to the tailwaters of [[Heron Lake (New Mexico)|Heron Lake]] and El Vado Reservoir. The Rio Chama, is very wide at this point, with large runs, pools, and large boulders that create excellent fishing opportunities for rainbow and wild brown trout.

==Chama Canyon==
[[File:Rio Chama viewed from southern end of Heron Lake State Park on 5 May 2022.jpg|thumb|Rio Chama passes through the canyon on the southern end of Heron Lake State Park.]]
The walls in Chama Canyon rise some {{convert|1500|ft|m}} above the river.<ref name="southwestpaddler1"/> The canyon rim and sloping uplands are "frequently punctuated by steep sandstone and shale outcroppings. Inside the canyon is a plethora of geological wonders including high, steep canyon walls and escarpments consisting of rock slides, ledges, pinnacles and ridges. The bedrock of Chama Canyon is shale, basalt, tuft, sandstone, granite, quartzite and other types of rocks, some of which formed about 110 million years ago."<ref name="southwestpaddler1"/>

The Chama Valley is home to dense stands of [[Ponderosa Pine|ponderosa pine]], [[douglas-fir]], [[Pinyon pine|pinyon]], [[juniper]], [[mountain mahogany]], [[gambel oak]], and [[serviceberry]]. The riparian area also includes [[Populus sect. Aegiros|cottonwood]]s, [[Acer negundo|box elder]], willows, [[Celtis|hackberry]] and numerous shrubs that are indigenous to north-central New Mexico. It is teeming with a variety of wildlife including cougars, black bears, elk, mule deer, badgers, bobcats, coyotes, beavers, raccoons, ducks, dippers, spotted sandpipers, Canada geese, turkey, golden eagles, bald eagles, falcons, hawks, owls, turkey vultures, brown and rainbow trout, flathead chub, flathead minnows, white suckers, carp, channel catfish, black crappie, longnose dace, and other species of mammals, birds and fish.<ref name="southwestpaddler1"/> Various species of rattlesnakes are found in the adjacent mountain valleys and canyons.

==See also==
* [[List of rivers in Colorado]]
* [[List of New Mexico rivers]]
* [[List of National Wild and Scenic Rivers]]
* [[List of tributaries of the Rio Grande]]

==References==
{{reflist|22em}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|Chama River (Rio Grande)}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chama, Rio}}
[[Category:Rivers of Rio Arriba County, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Rivers of Colorado]]
[[Category:Rivers of New Mexico]]
[[Category:Tributaries of the Rio Grande]]
[[Category:Wild and Scenic Rivers of the United States]]
[[Category:Rivers of Archuleta County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Old Spanish Trail (trade route)]]

Rio Chama - Revision history

imported>Kehkou: Update regarding public access to waterways on private land in New Mexico