The Rio Chama Posted On: January 10, 2023 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: Rio Chama Tagged In: New Mexico rafting, New Wave Rafting, Rio Chama Our other river is the Rio Chama. It joins the Rio Grande at Española, just 20 miles to the south of our headquarters in Embudo. Additionally the Rio Grande runs through mainly volcanic scenery . Read More…
Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River Posted On: July 23, 2022 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: Rio Chama Tagged In: New Mexico rafting, Rio Chama, Rio Chama rafting, Wild and Scenic The Rio Chama is 120 miles long, beginning in the southern San Juan Mountains of South-Central Colorado. It joins the Rio Grande near Espanola, NM. In 1978, the Rio Chama was designated as part of the Santa Fe National Forest as wilderness. In addition, 31 miles of the river were further protected as a Federal Wild and Scenic River in 1988. Commercial outfitters must have a special use permit issued by the Bureau of Land Management. However, private boaters float the section downstream of the Christ in the Desert Monastery without a permit, but overnight float trips on the Wild portion (above the Monastery) require permits. A float down the river offers access to many interesting side canyons, with trails leading to peaks and mesa tops. This area of New Mexico is characterized by multi-colored sandstone cliffs and cottonwood groves along the river which was made famous by the paintings of Georgia O’Keefe In addition, many bird species depend on the water and riparian vegetation. Seen along the river are various raptors as well as ducks, mergansers, Canada geese and great blue heron. Large number of Cliff and Violet Green swallows make their nests on the riverside cliffs. Also found along the river are bald and golden eagles, as well as hawks, owls, and falcons. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish regulate the fishing of the Rio Chama. Some species found in the Rio Chama include brown trout, Rio Grande chub, fathead minnow, rainbow trout, longnose dace, and carp. New Wave’s Rio Chama 1 day The Chama is a dam-release river therefore varies greatly from day to day. Thus, the duration of the trip varies accordingly. This trip is only available on Saturday or Sunday. A Buffet-style lunch, life jacket, rain gear, helmet, paddle and of course a professional guide are provided. Also, we can bring along funyaks at no extra cost in low water conditions (for those in good physical condition). Just ask. Visit Rio Chama at New Wave Rafting for reservations. See you on the Rio
The Rio Chama Experience Posted On: July 8, 2022 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: Rio Chama Tagged In: family fun, Funyak, Rio Chama The Rio Chama is located in the area of New Mexico made famous in the paintings of Georgia O’Keefe. This is a very scenic full-day trip through the canyon of the lower Rio Chama is in the Santa Fe National Forest. The rafting trip is from the Christ of the Desert Monastery to the Big Eddy take-out, with Class 2 to 3 (easy to moderate) whitewater. This is the area of New Mexico characterized by multi-colored sandstone cliffs and cottonwood groves along the river. Funyaks are perfect for this trip. When to Raft The weekends in late June, July, August and the beginning of September are guaranteed release weekends. The water is released from El Vado dam starting on Friday at noon and shut down on the following Sunday. Therefore the assured days for rafting are Saturday and Sunday. Who Should Raft the Rio Chama This full day trip of the Rio Chama is perfect for the entire family. The minimum age is 5. Family Funyaks Single person Funyaks, as seen in the photo below, are a great addition to the rafting adventure. Visit New Wave Rafting for more information. See You on the Rio.
Testimonial Ted K. Posted On: July 9, 2019 By: Steve Miller Filed Under: Great guides, Testimonials Tagged In: Britt Runyon, Orlando, Rio Chama, Rio Grande new mexico Testimonial Ted K. “Taos Box with Joey and Britt Terrific-thoughtful careful and fun Chama with Orlando – a day of wonder beauty magic and spirit – Truly, one the best days of my life.” Taos Gorge – July 18 would delight working with any one of the three. Each amazing and quite fun! Thank you and Kathy again for your work, dedication to safety and fun and thoughtful support for those who are out there on the river. But more importantly for the remarkable people, who like yourselves, offer themselves on these trips which is why I celebrate my 23 year working with you both and all. The Reverend Canon Ted Karpf Santa Fe, NM” Orlando Joey Thank you for your testimonial Ted K. More reviews can be found at Trip Advisor. About our Taos Box Trip This full-day river trip traverses 16 miles of wilderness gorge, encountering demanding rapids guaranteed to get you wet. This is our most exciting whitewater river trip and is NOT for the timid. Participants must be mentally and physically prepared to paddle in earnest and assist in their own rescue in the event of a “swim” or flip (Class 4/Difficult, Class 5/Very Difficult, in high water). The Box season begins in April, with the highest flows usually occurring around early June. Minimum age is 12. Book you Taos Box adventure here.
Abiquiu News Features New Wave Rafting Posted On: June 3, 2019 By: Britt Runyon Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Abiquiu, El Vado Reservoir, Rio Chama Abiquiu News Features New Wave “Planning a Visit? The Rio Chama runs through Abiquiu. One of the best ways to experience this river or the Rio Grande is a rafting trip with New Wave Rafting. Currently they are running a special. If you book online, you’ll save 10%. The Rio Chama is the major tributary of the Rio Grande in New Mexico. It rises in the South San Juan Mountains of Colorado, just a few miles north of the border. It passes through the town of Chama and then … to the side of Heron Reservoir. Read More…
High Water Anticipation, 2019 Posted On: May 13, 2019 By: Steve Miller Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: Class IV, Class V, Colorado, cubic feet a second, irrigation, New Mexico, Racecourse, Rio Chama, Rio Grande, river runner, run-off, snow melt, Souse Hole Rapid, Taos Box, water user, watershed High Water Anticipation, 2019 High water! Various government agencies keep a close watch on snowfall, and the depth and density of snow that accumulates on the ground, throughout the winter. With this information, they can predict the amount of run-off (water from snow melt) that will likely occur. The run-off prediction is of paramount concern to farmers and cities, who obtain their supply of irrigation and drinking water from snowmelt. It is of paramount concern, also, to river runners. Here in the arid west, all water users agree that more water is always better than less water. The agencies issue reports that detail the snowpack in the various watersheds of a state. The watersheds that are of interest to us New Mexico river runners are, firstly, the upper Rio Grande, in Colorado, and secondly, the Rio Chama in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. And the Rio Grande is at 142% of average. Based on past experience, we expect that the run-off from this amount of snow will provide exciting levels of water in our two rivers. Weather, of course, will determine the exact nature of the run-off. Cooler weather slows it down, and hotter weather speeds it up. But we are supposing that the peak of the run-off will exceed 4000 cubic feet a second. What does this mean? A box 12″ on a side is a cubic foot. So imagine that, in a second’s time, 4000 such box fulls of water are passing by as you stand on the bank of the river. How much might it exceed 4000 cfs? It could go to 7000 cfs. Or not. Read More…
Hold On Tight Posted On: May 12, 2019 By: Steve Miller Filed Under: River trips Tagged In: highwater, New Wave Rafting Co, Racecourse, Racecourse rapids, Rio Chama, Rio Grande, Taos Box “Hold On Tight” is the headline, but it’s not accurate. Rafting in big whitewater is a participatory activity. The guide yells out paddle commands and the guests respond with enthusiastic strokes of their paddles. As a rule, holding on is not an option. But what keeps you in the boat, as it crashes into waves and then bucks upward? It’s your paddle that keeps you in the boat. You get support from the paddle as you pull on it. It’s your third item of attachment to the raft, along with your rear-end contact and your feet placed under a thwart. Believe me … it really works like that. And your aggressive strokes are needed to power the raft through big waves and propel the boat in the direction determined by your guide. So, don’t hold on tight! New Wave Rafting Co co-owner Steve Miller is quoted below.
Guide Training Program 2019 Posted On: April 21, 2019 By: Steve Miller Filed Under: Guide Training Program Tagged In: Rio Chama, Rio Grande, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument The New Wave Guide Training Program 2019 (GTP) is under way, in anticipation of a very good water year for the Rio Grande and Rio Chama. The 2019 GTP kicked off on Apr. 19, with seven eager trainees. What a good-looking group of men and women! In the photo below, GTP instructor and New Wave Operations Manager Britt Runyon Huggins is seen on the right, and instructor Neil Oberheide is seen on the left. And, left to right, starting at Neil, are: Rick, Socia, Tristan, Calli, Mika, Mark, newly-hired guide Cat and Ethan. We know that our guests will love them, and that they will love being rafting guides. After all, being a raft guide is the most fun you can have, and still be working! This is the 37th year of our Guide Training Program, which we began two years after our founding, in 1980. It consists of four days of instruction on the river, followed by a month of practise. The group should be ready to go by Memorial Day weekend, when things start to get very busy on the river. Come join us! Guide Training Program 2019
The Chama Mama 3 days of Rafting Posted On: August 26, 2016 By: Steve Miller Filed Under: River trips, Testimonials Tagged In: Rio Chama On the weekend of Aug. 19-21, we had a full house of 16 women participate in the Chama Mama 3-day Chama Wildermess trip, a New Wave tradition. The four staff were: Kathy Miller, Pres. of New Wave, CJ Robison (who has been with New Wave for over 10 yrs.), Elisha MacArthur (guide from the Arkansas River) and Lorie Bonds Lopez, formerly an Outward Bound course leader. The group had good water and not much rain! Here’s what the group organizer has to say: Read More…