Devils River (Texas)
Encyclopedia
The Devils River is a pristine, whitewater river in southwestern Texas
, USA. It begins in northwest Sutton County, at 30°19′40"N 100°56′31"W, where six watercourses come together, Dry Devils River, Granger Draw, House Draw, Jackson, Flat Rock Draw, and Rough Canyon. It flows southwest for 94 miles (151.3 km) through Val Verde County
and empties into the northeastern shore of the Amistad Reservoir, an impoundment of the Rio Grande
near Del Rio, Texas
on the Texas/Mexico
border, 29°27′33"N 101°3′34"W. The discharge
of the Devils River, as measured at IBWC
gaging station 08-4494.00 near the river's mouth, averages 362 cuft/s, with a maximum of 122895 cuft/s and a minimum of 54 cuft/s. Its drainage basin
above that point is 10259 square kilometres (3,961 sq mi).
The Devils River is considered the most unspoiled river in Texas. Its remote location in a hostile environment limits pollution from human and animal populations. In addition, the river flows underground for part of its journey. As it passes underground, the gravel, sand and limestone scrub the river water clean before it re-emerges some 20 miles (32.2 km) later. This process makes the Devils River one of the cleanest water sources in the world.
ing and canoe
ing, it is difficult to gain access because much of the river is bounded by private property. However, much of the river is protected through conservation easements on both sides. The Nature Conservancy
is working to protect the river through the Devils River Project. As of now the project has protected 87000 acres (352.1 km²) along the river. Along with the Devil's River State Natural Area the protected land along the river totals 110000 acres (445.2 km²).
. The highway is frequently closed more than half the year because of small amounts of water over the road. Many local residents ignore the road closings because it is rarely dangerous to cross these low water crossings. Camping sites are available and you can also leave your vehicle at Bakers Crossing. Most of the river is fairly calm with mostly class two rapids and small class three rapids (see International Scale of River Difficulty
). However the river can rise and fall greatly with rainfall, even if the rain is not in the direct area of the river. Dolan Falls is a waterfall about 15 feet (4.6 m) tall and is located at about 16.9 miles (27.2 km) and must be avoided. Past Dolan Falls at about 19 miles (30.6 km) is Three Tier Rapids, a class four rapid most of the year, but when the river swells, can be a short class 5 and should be attempted by only by the more experienced paddlers. The river is characterized by long, deep pools with reed covered rapids near the end of these pools. A map is strongly suggested as both Dolan Falls and Three Tier Rapids are not able to be seen until you are right on top of them. After Three Tier Rapids, there are no more large (over class III) rapids and the river is fairly smooth. Some boulder and fields do occur past Three Tier Rapids but are generally small in size. The river finally empties into Lake Amistad after traveling some 40 miles (64.4 km) from Bakers Crossing. From this point it is another 12 miles (19.3 km) trip on the lake to the last take out at Rough Canyon Marina. The journey for the lake section of the trip can be very strenuous on a person kayaking or canoeing because of the strong south headwind.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, USA. It begins in northwest Sutton County, at 30°19′40"N 100°56′31"W, where six watercourses come together, Dry Devils River, Granger Draw, House Draw, Jackson, Flat Rock Draw, and Rough Canyon. It flows southwest for 94 miles (151.3 km) through Val Verde County
Val Verde County, Texas
Val Verde County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2008, estimated population was 55,000. Its county seat is Del Rio. In 1936, Val Verde County received Recorded Texas Historic Landmark number 5625 to commemorate its founding.Val Verde, which means "green...
and empties into the northeastern shore of the Amistad Reservoir, an impoundment of the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
near Del Rio, Texas
Del Rio, Texas
Del Rio is a border city in and the county seat of Val Verde County, Texas, United States.. Del Rio is connected with Ciudad Acuña via the Lake Amistad Dam International Crossing and Del Río-Ciudad Acuña International Bridge...
on the Texas/Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
border, 29°27′33"N 101°3′34"W. The discharge
Discharge (hydrology)
In hydrology, discharge is the volume rate of water flow, including any suspended solids , dissolved chemical species and/or biologic material , which is transported through a given cross-sectional area...
of the Devils River, as measured at IBWC
International Boundary and Water Commission
The International Boundary and Water Commission is an international body created in 1889 by the United States and Mexico to administer the many boundary and water-rights treaties and agreements between the two nations....
gaging station 08-4494.00 near the river's mouth, averages 362 cuft/s, with a maximum of 122895 cuft/s and a minimum of 54 cuft/s. Its drainage basin
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
above that point is 10259 square kilometres (3,961 sq mi).
The Devils River is considered the most unspoiled river in Texas. Its remote location in a hostile environment limits pollution from human and animal populations. In addition, the river flows underground for part of its journey. As it passes underground, the gravel, sand and limestone scrub the river water clean before it re-emerges some 20 miles (32.2 km) later. This process makes the Devils River one of the cleanest water sources in the world.
Recreation
Although the river is popular for kayakKayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
ing and canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
ing, it is difficult to gain access because much of the river is bounded by private property. However, much of the river is protected through conservation easements on both sides. The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a US charitable environmental organization that works to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive....
is working to protect the river through the Devils River Project. As of now the project has protected 87000 acres (352.1 km²) along the river. Along with the Devil's River State Natural Area the protected land along the river totals 110000 acres (445.2 km²).
Traversing the river
The river itself is 90 miles (144.8 km) long, but much of the upper half of the river is not suitable for canoeing or kayaking because of a lack of water and limited access. The best part of the river for recreation is about 40 miles (64.4 km) long and runs from Bakers Crossing to the last drop off point at Lake Amistad. The most common point of entry into the river is Bakers Crossing on Texas State Highway 163Texas State Highway 163
State Highway 163 or SH 163 is a 203-mile state highway in the western part of Texas.-Route description:SH 163 runs almost directly north from its originating junction with U.S. Highway 90 at Comstock near the Rio Grande River, the southern border of the state...
. The highway is frequently closed more than half the year because of small amounts of water over the road. Many local residents ignore the road closings because it is rarely dangerous to cross these low water crossings. Camping sites are available and you can also leave your vehicle at Bakers Crossing. Most of the river is fairly calm with mostly class two rapids and small class three rapids (see International Scale of River Difficulty
International Scale of River Difficulty
The International Scale of River Difficulty is a standardized scale used to rate the safety of a stretch of river, or a single rapid. The grade reflects the technical difficulty and skill level required associated with the section of river...
). However the river can rise and fall greatly with rainfall, even if the rain is not in the direct area of the river. Dolan Falls is a waterfall about 15 feet (4.6 m) tall and is located at about 16.9 miles (27.2 km) and must be avoided. Past Dolan Falls at about 19 miles (30.6 km) is Three Tier Rapids, a class four rapid most of the year, but when the river swells, can be a short class 5 and should be attempted by only by the more experienced paddlers. The river is characterized by long, deep pools with reed covered rapids near the end of these pools. A map is strongly suggested as both Dolan Falls and Three Tier Rapids are not able to be seen until you are right on top of them. After Three Tier Rapids, there are no more large (over class III) rapids and the river is fairly smooth. Some boulder and fields do occur past Three Tier Rapids but are generally small in size. The river finally empties into Lake Amistad after traveling some 40 miles (64.4 km) from Bakers Crossing. From this point it is another 12 miles (19.3 km) trip on the lake to the last take out at Rough Canyon Marina. The journey for the lake section of the trip can be very strenuous on a person kayaking or canoeing because of the strong south headwind.