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New Mexico | San Juan River / Navajo Dam to Farmington
San Juan RiverNavajo Dam public launch to Among the Waters Park public access
The full documented Navajo Dam to Farmington San Juan paddle corridor through Blanco and Vereda del Rio.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Safety
Route safety
CautionThis route has hazards or access considerations that require extra verification.
Safety details
Wear a properly fitted PFD and carry a whistle, spare paddle, throw device, communication, offline navigation, sun protection and sufficient water.
- Check the applicable direct USGS gauge and trend, dam-release notices, weather, wind and cold-water temperature before launching. Do not treat 300 cfs as a safety guarantee.
- Scout and portage every diversion dam and fence. New Mexico State Parks warns that low-head dams can be difficult to see and deadly; never run an unscouted structure.
- Use only named public launch and take-out sites, respect private and Navajo Nation land boundaries, and plan for limited assistance on the lower corridor.
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
The full documented Navajo Dam to Farmington San Juan paddle corridor through Blanco and Vereda del Rio.
Access map
Put-in
Navajo Dam public river launch (water-entry edge)Use only named public launches and take-outs; several lower-river access points have limited parking or hand-carry approaches.
Take-out
Among the Waters Park public access (water-entry edge)Portage diversion dams and fences on the riverbank before proceeding.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Use only named public launches and take-outs; several lower-river access points have limited parking or hand-carry approaches.
- Portage diversion dams and fences on the riverbank before proceeding.
- Respect private, state, BLM and Navajo Nation boundaries and leave no trace at access sites.
Watch for
- Cold tailwater and release changes
- Multiple diversion dams and fences requiring portage
- Long exposure, monsoon storms and limited assistance
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.
USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
San Juan River at Farmington, NM. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge note
Minimum 300 cfs · San Juan River at Farmington, NM
Does this gauge apply to my trip?
Check USGS 09365000, release trend, weather, wind and current access notices before launch; portage all unscouted dams and fences.
New to reading stage or flow? Read the paddler's gauge guide.
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
- Checking data sources and update times.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | San Juan River at Farmington, NM |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 300 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Southwest Paddler San Juan River New Mexico access and hazards |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Named public access and distanceNavajo Dam public launch to Among the Waters Park public access; 46.3 miles
Southwest Paddler lists the access coordinates and river-mile sequence; New Mexico Tourism corroborates the upper corridor as a popular relaxing float.
- Scoring floor300 cfs minimum planning cue; 500 cfs target
The 300 cfs cue is reach-specific community guidance. Verify direct gauge telemetry, release trend and local conditions before travel.
- Direct telemetryUSGS 09365000 San Juan River at Farmington, NM
Use the gauge nearest the selected reach and recheck current discharge and trend.
- Safety and campingPFD, diversion/fence portage, public access and nearby basecamp
New Mexico State Parks identifies low-head dams and strainers as serious hazards; Navajo Lake State Park documents developed camping near the upper reach.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
More level reports needed
Only a low-water floor is known.
We can tell when this route is likely too low, but we do not yet have enough reports to define a best range. If you paddled it recently, send a condition report with how the level felt.
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More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
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Quick answers
San Juan River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Navajo Dam public launch to Among the Waters Park public access route on the San Juan River?
Paddle Today watches San Juan River at Farmington, NM and uses 300 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does the Navajo Dam public launch to Among the Waters Park public access route on the San Juan River start and end?
This route starts at Navajo Dam public river launch (water-entry edge) and ends at Among the Waters Park public access (water-entry edge), Staged multi-day itinerary (about 46.3 river miles) on the water.
Is the Navajo Dam public launch to Among the Waters Park public access route on the San Juan River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
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