As the Rio Grande flows from its headwaters in Colorado it starts to be used for irrigation, households, environmental, and recreational uses. The river levels of the Rio Grande in Big Bend can fluctuate for two reasons---if we receive rain in the region or if Mexico releases water in the Rio Conchos. The Rio Grande starts in Colorado, comes across New Mexico to El Paso. New Mexico basically keeps most the water in a reservoir and the remaining water is used by El Paso and Juarez. The Rio Grande from El Paso is dry for about 200 miles until it reaches Presidio, TX. This is where the Rio Conchos flows in from Mexico, which is a very clean river because there is no industry, agriculture, or cities to speak of in the northern Chihuahuan desert of Mexico. Depending on the water levels being released in the Rio Conchos, we choose which canyon we will be taking on our float trips. We will be floating in either Santa Elena Canyon, doing a "boomerang" trip where we paddle up into the canyon, or going downstream in the Upper Canyons or Hot Springs Canyon in rafts, kayaks, or canoes. All canyons are stunningly beautiful and all floats are great for beginners or old time river runners as the Rio Grande is a calm river. We can not guarantee which canyon we will float in, but we can guarantee you we will have a great time floating on the river through some amazing scenery.
