Rio Grande del Rancho

Streamflow, conditions and background by watershed segment. Data through November 1, 2026.

Where it is

Segments are the HUC8 watersheds the gauges sit in, numbered upstream to downstream. Use the buttons to switch between the state and the river.

Map of the Rio Grande del Rancho in New MexicoNew Mexico, with the Rio Grande del Rancho's 1 watershed segment shaded and numbered upstream to downstream, the river and its gauges, and towns near it (Taos).Beaver CreekCanadian RiverChaco RiverEast Fork Gila RiverGila RiverMimbres RiverPecos RiverRio ChamaRio GrandeRio HondoRio PuercoRio SaladoRio San JoseSalt CreekSan Francisco RiverSan Juan River1. Upper Rio Grande (HUC 13020101)Rio Grande del RanchoAlbuquerqueSanta FeLas CrucesRoswellFarmingtonRio Grande del Rancho1. Upper Rio Grande (HUC 13020101)Rio ChiquitoRio ChiquitoRio Grande del RanchoTaosRIO GRANDE DEL RANCHO NEAR TALPA, NM (Upper Rio Grande)1
  • 1Upper Rio Grande
  • river and reservoirs
  • gauge

About the Rio Grande del Rancho

This report follows 25 miles (40 km) of the Rio Grande del Rancho, all within the Upper Rio Grande watershed segment. At the lower end of the report the river drains about 139 square miles. Downstream of the mapped reach it flows into the Rio Pueblo de Taos. Named tributaries joining it here include the Rio Chiquito. Largest urban areas near it: Taos. 1 gauge with at least 26 weeks of daily flow cover 1952 to 2026.

From the archive: NHDPlus river network, WBD watersheds, NHD waterbodies, TIGER urban areas and the report's gauges.

From the headwaters down

Each watershed segment in order, with last week's flow rated against the same week in 1991–2020.

  1. Upper Rio Grande

    11 cfs last week much above normal, 29 dry days this year.

    Towns: Taos.

    Acequias: Acequia De Avago La Loma, Acequia Madre Del Prado, Acequia Madre Del Rio Chiquito.

    Median conductance 620 µS/cm in the 2010s. Rain over the last 3 months: 174% of normal.

Culture

Acequias

  • Acequia De Avago La Loma
  • Acequia Madre Del Prado
  • Acequia Madre Del Rio Chiquito

From the State Engineer's acequia map, which covers mainly northern New Mexico, and cited records of acequia governance. Within 1.5 km of the river.

Reservoirs

No reservoir with 500 acre-feet or more of storage on this river in the National Inventory of Dams.

Water users

Surface water withdrawn, 2020

In the counties this river crosses (Taos): 75,691 acre-feet. County totals include other streams.

UseShareAcre-ft
Irrigated agriculture86%65,380
Commercial13%9,772
Reservoir evaporation1%442
Public water supply0%62
Livestock0%35

State Engineer, New Mexico Water Use by Categories 2020.

Irrigation districts and acequias

State Engineer's irrigation districts and acequia layers.

Public water systems beside the river

Taos Municipal Water System, Ranchos De Taos MDWCA, Llano Quemado MDWCA, Talpa MDWCA, El Valle De Los Ranchos Water & Sanitation District, Bmg Trailer Park

State Engineer's public water systems layer (service areas within 2 km).

Sources

Numbered sources for the statements above, as they were read when the page was prepared.