Rio Brazos (New Mexico)

Rio Brazos
Country United States
State New Mexico
Tributaries
 - left Gavilan Creek, Encinado Creek
 - right Barrow Canyon, Chavez Creek
Source Confluence of East and West Forks
 - location Brazos Meadows, San Juan Mountains
 - elevation 9,957 ft (3,035 m)
 - coordinates 36°52′30″N 106°22′29″W / 36.87500°N 106.37472°W / 36.87500; -106.37472 [1]
Mouth Rio Chama
 - location Near Tierra Amarilla
 - elevation 7,287 ft (2,221 m)
 - coordinates 36°52′30″N 106°22′29″W / 36.87500°N 106.37472°W / 36.87500; -106.37472Coordinates: 36°52′30″N 106°22′29″W / 36.87500°N 106.37472°W / 36.87500; -106.37472 [1]
Length 42 mi (68 km) [2]
Basin 150 sq mi (388 km2)
Location of the mouth of Rio Brazos in New Mexico

The Rio Brazos is a 42-mile (68 km) long[2] river flowing through northern New Mexico in the United States. It rises in the Tusas Mountains, a subrange of the San Juan Mountains,[3] and runs generally southwest to a confluence with the Rio Chama, part of the larger Rio Grande system.

The river is formed by two streams, the 8.74-mile (14.07 km) West Fork[2] and the 8.44-mile (13.58 km) East Fork,[2] which converge at Brazos Meadows, just outside the western boundary of the Carson National Forest. For its first few miles, it flows south as a slow-moving, meandering mountain stream. East of Brazos Peak, it swings abruptly west into the Brazos Box, one of the largest canyons in New Mexico with a maximum depth of more than 1,400 feet (430 m).[4] Here, it passes the Brazos Cliffs, receives Gavilan and Encinado Creeks, and picks up an unnamed tributary which feeds Brazos Falls, reputedly New Mexico's highest waterfall with a total drop of 2,400 feet (730 m).[5] Northeast of Tierra Amarilla, the river emits from the mountains, receiving Chavez Creek from the right. It passes the settlements of Ensenada, Brazos and Los Ojos before flowing into the Rio Chama about 90 miles (140 km) northwest of Santa Fe.[6]

The Brazos is a perennial stream, reaching its highest flows in April and early May from snowmelt in the mountains, and is subject to occasional flash floods caused by summer thunderstorms.[7] Although most of the river's length provides good fishing for brown and rainbow trout, especially the upper section which is one of the largest high-meadow streams in New Mexico, most of the drainage is private property making it largely inaccessible for recreation.[8]

Although most of the Brazos flows through wild lands, the river is heavily used for irrigation in the last 5 miles (8.0 km), with multiple acequias (irrigation ditches) drawing off water. As a result, this section of the river often shrinks to a trickle during the dry season.[9][10] The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists the water quality for the last 3.52 miles (5.66 km) of the river as "impaired", owing mainly to agricultural runoff and heavy summer water diversions.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Rio Brazos". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. 1980-11-13. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Assessment Data for New Mexico, Rio Chama Watershed (8 Digit USGS Cataloging Unit)". National Assessment Database. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2004. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
  3. ↑ "Tusas Mountains". Peakbagger. 2004-11-01. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
  4. ↑ Julyan, Robert Hixson (2006). The Mountains of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press. pp. 70–72. ISBN 0-82633-516-0.
  5. ↑ Julyan, Robert Hixson (1996). The Place Names of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press. p. 292. ISBN 0-82631-689-1.
  6. ↑ USGS Topo Maps for United States (Map). Cartography by United States Geological Survey. ACME Mapper. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
  7. ↑ Martin, Craig, ed. (2002). Fly Fishing in Northern New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press. pp. 201–202. ISBN 0-82632-761-3.
  8. ↑ Fly Fishing in Northern New Mexico, p. 204
  9. ↑ Piper, Ti (1989). Fishing in New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press. p. 82. ISBN 0-82631-138-5.
  10. ↑ "Rio Arriba County Comprehensive Plan" (PDF). Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. 2009-05-20. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
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