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The Rio Chama, a major tributary river of the Rio Grande, is about 135 miles long. From its head waters to El Vado Dam it flows about 50 miles, from El Vado Dam to Abiquiu Dam it flows another 51 miles, and from Abiquiu Dam to its confluence with the Rio Grande flow the final 34 miles (55 km).
Source:
37.0918, -106.551
The Rio Chama rises from the confluence of the West Fork Rio Chama and the East Fork Rio Chama two short head waters tributaries. The East Fork head waters are at the continental divide at Dipping Lakes. The West Fork headwaters are near Banded Peak which is north of Chama Peak. Both of the head waters are just across the Colorado state line in the San Juan Mountains and Rio Grande National Forest.
From the confluence of the head water tributaries, the Rio Chama flows to the town of Chama after which it flows into first Heron Lake and later El Vado Lake, both of which are impounded by dams. Some time after, the Rio Chama enters the Chama River Canyon Wilderness and the Santa Fe National Forest.
The Rio Cebolla and Rio Gallina join the Rio Chama and next enters the Abiquiu Lake another impounded reservoir where it is joined by Rio Puerco.
Below the Abiquiu Lake, the Rio Chama flows east and joined by the Rio del Oso from the west and Rio Ojo Calients from the northeast. Then the Rio Chama continues to join with the Rio Grande.
Mouth:
36.042222, -106.087778
The confluence of the Chama river with the Rio Grande is in the Ohkay Owingeh reservation two miles north of where Fairview Lane cross the Rio Grande in the town of Espanola, New Mexico.
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