Making Waves on the Rio Chama

New Mexico’s newest whitewater feature has officially opened!

The Army Corps of Engineers has installed a new whitewater surf wave as part of a restoration project on the Rio Chama just below the Abiquiu dam. The river has come up to it’s 600cfs minimum for the wave to really become playful and it has certainly delivered! This Memorial Day weekend, flows hit 850cfs creating a beautiful surf and play feature for smaller play-boats and short surf boards, but still surf-able in medium length boats and boards.

Watching the water come up from 650 cfs to 850 cfs, the wave began to become a little less steep, providing more room in the front for boards and boats without pearling over the bow. While we haven’t seen what this feature looks like at high water flows, I think it’s only going to get better!

With flows from 600-900 cfs, modern play-boat and retro-styled (or just retro!) slicey play-boat kayaks and short surf boards (5’5”-7’) excel. Longer half-slice and river-running kayaks can surf, but may have trouble staying on the wave and keeping their bows from pearling with their additional length. 9’ and longer SUPs can certainly have fun on this wave as well, and have been able to stay on top of the foam pile for short rides, but pearl quickly.

The Army Corps of Engineers isn’t done yet. After speaking with several of the rangers this weekend we learned that they are in the planning process of phase II developments and are eager to add more features including more retentive holes for play-boaters, and longer glassy waves for river surfers.

If you get the opportunity to head to Abiquiu for a weekend to check out the wave (there is plenty of free camping available downriver from the wave), make sure to let the rangers know that you appreciate the hard work they’ve done!

There is also a small log-book for paddlers hanging out next to the wave. Please sign in so we can track how many people are using this feature to help support additional river developments.