Rio Ruidoso

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 Ruidoso in New MexicoNew Mexico, with the Rio Ruidoso's 1 watershed segment shaded and numbered upstream to downstream, the river and its gauges, and towns near it (Ruidoso).Beaver CreekCanadian RiverChaco RiverEast Fork Gila RiverGila RiverMimbres RiverPecos RiverRio ChamaRio GrandeRio HondoRio PuercoRio SaladoRio San JoseSalt CreekSan Francisco RiverSan Juan River1. Rio Hondo (HUC 13060008)Rio RuidosoAlbuquerqueSanta FeLas CrucesRoswellFarmingtonRio Ruidoso1. Rio Hondo (HUC 13060008)Carrizo CreekCarrizo CreekCarrizo CreekEagle CreekEagle CreekRio RuidosoRuidosoRIO RUIDOSO AT RUIDOSO, NM (Rio Hondo)Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood (Rio Hondo)RIO RUIDOSO AT HONDO, NM (Rio Hondo)1
  • 1Rio Hondo
  • river and reservoirs
  • gauge

About the Rio Ruidoso

  • The U.S. Geological Survey measures the river at Hollywood in Lincoln County, where it drains about 120 square miles.1

This report follows 33 miles (53 km) of the Rio Ruidoso, all within the Rio Hondo watershed segment. At the lower end of the report the river drains about 290 square miles. Downstream of the mapped reach it flows into the Rio Hondo. Named tributaries joining it here include the Eagle Creek and Carrizo Creek. Largest urban areas near it: Ruidoso. 3 gauges with at least 26 weeks of daily flow cover 1930 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. Rio Hondo

    14 cfs last week above normal, 21 dry days this year.

    Towns: Ruidoso.

    Median conductance 1,029 µS/cm in the 2020s. Rain over the last 3 months: 169% of normal.

Culture

  • The Mescalero people, named for the mescal plant they gathered and ate, were nomadic hunters and gatherers and highly skilled horsemen.2
  • The Ski Apache ski area is one of the Mescalero Apache Tribe's tribally owned enterprises.2

Habitat

  • New Mexico's water quality standards designate the Rio Ruidoso downstream of the U.S. Highway 70 bridge near Seeping Springs lakes for coldwater aquatic life, fish culture and wildlife habitat.3

Reservoirs

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

Water users

  • The same state water quality standards also designate this reach of the Rio Ruidoso for irrigation and livestock watering.3
  • The USGS operates the Rio Ruidoso gauge at Hollywood in cooperation with the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and the Village of Ruidoso.1
  • The Village of Ruidoso is developing an EPA-funded Rio Ruidoso Watershed-Based Plan to protect water quality and promote sustainable land use, with a Watershed Advisory Board that meets on a recurring schedule.4

Surface water withdrawn, 2020

In the counties this river crosses (Lincoln, Otero): 30,472 acre-feet. County totals include other streams.

UseShareAcre-ft
Irrigated agriculture82%24,915
Public water supply16%4,738
Mining1%360
Livestock1%262
Commercial1%197

State Engineer, New Mexico Water Use by Categories 2020.

Public water systems beside the river

Ruidoso Water System, Ruidoso Downs Water System, Apple Blossom And White Angel Mesa Water Users Association, The Riverbend, Safe Haven RV 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.

  1. Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood, NM (USGS-08387000), U.S. Geological Survey, Water Data for the Nation (read 2026-09-28)
  2. Mescalero Apache Tribe, Mescalero Apache Tribe (read 2026-09-28)
  3. Water Quality Survey Summary for the Rio Peñasco Watershed (quotes standard 20.6.4.208 NMAC, which also covers the Rio Ruidoso), Surface Water Quality Bureau, New Mexico Environment Department (read 2026-09-28)
  4. Watershed Advisory Board, Village of Ruidoso (read 2026-09-28)