Jemez River
Encyclopedia
The Jemez River is a tributary of the Rio Grande
in the U.S. state
of New Mexico
. The river is formed by the confluence of the East Fork Jemez River and San Antonio Creek, which drain a number of tributaries in the area of the Jemez Mountains and Santa Fe National Forest
. The Jemez River is about 50 miles (80.5 km) long, or about 80 miles (128.7 km) long if its longest headwater tributary, San Antonio Creek is included. The East Fork Jemez River is about 22 miles (35.4 km) long. Both San Antonio Creek and the East Fork Jemez River flow through intricate meanders along their courses. The East Fork Jemez is a National Wild and Scenic River.
It flows generally south to join the Rio Grande near Bernalillo
, north of Albuquerque
.
. San Antonio Creek flows west in a northward curve, through Valle Toledo and Valle San Antonio. The East Fork Jemez River flows west in a southward curve, through Valle Grande. These valleys are all part of the Valles Caldera. The two tributary streams join near Battleship Rock in Cañon de San Diego, forming the Jemez River's main stem
.
The Jemez River flows south through the Cañon de San Diego, between the Jemez Mountains
and the Nacimiento Mountains
to Jemez Springs
, and continues south through the canyon to its confluence with the Rio Guadalupe, near Cañones and Cañon. From there the Jemez River continues south, passing through the Jemez Indian Reservation, where some of its water is diverted into irrigation canals. Vallecito Creek joins the Jemez River near Jemez Pueblo
. A few miles to the south the Jemez River enters the Zia Indian Reservation and is joined by the Rio Salado
, about four miles upstream from Zia Pueblo
. The river's course bends slightly to the southeast and it enters the Santa Ana Indian Reservation, passing by the Santa Ana Pueblo
, located at the upper end of the Jemez Canyon Reservoir. The reservoir is created by the Jemez Canyon Dam and is entirely within the Santa Ana Reservation. Below the dam the Jemez River flows about three miles to its confluence with the Rio Grande, a few miles north of Bernalillo.
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...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. The river is formed by the confluence of the East Fork Jemez River and San Antonio Creek, which drain a number of tributaries in the area of the Jemez Mountains and Santa Fe National Forest
Santa Fe National Forest
The Santa Fe National Forest is a protected national forest in northern New Mexico in the Southwestern United States. It was established in 1915 and covers 1,567,181 acres . Elevations range from 5,300 feet to 13,103 feet at the summit of Truchas Peak, located within the Pecos Wilderness...
. The Jemez River is about 50 miles (80.5 km) long, or about 80 miles (128.7 km) long if its longest headwater tributary, San Antonio Creek is included. The East Fork Jemez River is about 22 miles (35.4 km) long. Both San Antonio Creek and the East Fork Jemez River flow through intricate meanders along their courses. The East Fork Jemez is a National Wild and Scenic River.
It flows generally south to join the Rio Grande near Bernalillo
Bernalillo, New Mexico
Bernalillo is a town in Sandoval County, New Mexico, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 6,611. It is the county seat of Sandoval County.Bernalillo is part of the Albuquerque Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, north of Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
.
Course
The main tributaries streams that join to form the Jemez River are San Antonio Creek, and the East Fork Jemez River. Both originate on the west side of the Sierra de los Valles near the northwest corner of Los Alamos CountyLos Alamos County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*87.8% White*0.6% Black*0.8% Native American*6.0% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.6% Two or more races*2.2% Other races*14.7% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. San Antonio Creek flows west in a northward curve, through Valle Toledo and Valle San Antonio. The East Fork Jemez River flows west in a southward curve, through Valle Grande. These valleys are all part of the Valles Caldera. The two tributary streams join near Battleship Rock in Cañon de San Diego, forming the Jemez River's main stem
Main Stem
"Main Stem" is 1942 instrumental by Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra. Although recorded in 1942, the single would not be released until 1944 where it was Duke Ellington's last of four number one's on the Harlem Hit Parade. "Main Stem" would also peak at number twenty on the pop chart"Main...
.
The Jemez River flows south through the Cañon de San Diego, between the Jemez Mountains
Jemez Mountains
The Jemez Mountains are a volcanic group of mountains in New Mexico, United States. The highest point in the range is Chicoma Mountain at an elevation of 11,561 feet . The town of Los Alamos and Los Alamos National Laboratory adjoin the eastern side of the range while the town of Jemez Springs...
and the Nacimiento Mountains
Nacimiento Mountains
The Sierra Nacimiento , or Nacimiento Mountains, are a mountain range in the northwestern part of the US state of New Mexico. They are just west of the more prominent Jemez Mountains near the town of Cuba, and are separated from them by the Río Guadalupe and the Río de Las Vacas...
to Jemez Springs
Jemez Springs, New Mexico
Jemez Springs is a village in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 375 at the 2000 census. Named for the nearby Pueblo of Jemez, the village is the site of Jemez State Monument and the headquarters of the Jemez Ranger District...
, and continues south through the canyon to its confluence with the Rio Guadalupe, near Cañones and Cañon. From there the Jemez River continues south, passing through the Jemez Indian Reservation, where some of its water is diverted into irrigation canals. Vallecito Creek joins the Jemez River near Jemez Pueblo
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Jemez Pueblo is a census-designated place in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 1,953 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Albuquerque Metropolitan Statistical Area.The CDP is named after the pueblo at its center...
. A few miles to the south the Jemez River enters the Zia Indian Reservation and is joined by the Rio Salado
Rio Salado (New Mexico)
The Rio Salado is tributary of the Rio Grande in the U.S. state of New Mexico. From its source in northeast Catron County it flows about generally east to join the Rio Grande just north of Polvadera and about north of Socorro. The name Río Salado is Spanish for "salty river".-Course:The Rio...
, about four miles upstream from Zia Pueblo
Zia Pueblo, New Mexico
Zia Pueblo is a census-designated place in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 646 at the 2000 census; Male:310 Female:336 The pueblo after which the CDP is named is included within the CDP; it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Zia Pueblo is part of...
. The river's course bends slightly to the southeast and it enters the Santa Ana Indian Reservation, passing by the Santa Ana Pueblo
Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico
Santa Ana Pueblo is a census-designated place in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 479. It is part of the Albuquerque Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, located at the upper end of the Jemez Canyon Reservoir. The reservoir is created by the Jemez Canyon Dam and is entirely within the Santa Ana Reservation. Below the dam the Jemez River flows about three miles to its confluence with the Rio Grande, a few miles north of Bernalillo.