Pecos River is a 926-mile-long Rio Pecos watercourse that carves through the Chihuahuan Desert from Bosque del Apache in south-central New Mexico to join the Rio Grande near El Paso.
Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Southwestern United StatesAmerican Southwest |
| Subregion | Great Basin |
| Country | United States |
| State | TexasNew Mexico |
| County | Reeves CountyChihuahua (nearby) |
| District | Permian Basin |
| Timezone | AmericaChicago |
| Latitude | 31.95 |
| Longitude | -103.5 |
| Maps |
Pecos River flows from the eastern slopes of the Sacramento Mountains in south-central New Mexico and traces a northeast path before turning southeast and crossing into Texas. Source points near San Antonio Mountain and the roll of the Ruidoso valley give it beginning stages of higher flow; seasons and flow levels vary greatly with snowmelt and precipitation averages. As it descends into the Permian Basin and approaches Del Rio and Eagle Pass, the river's water volume diminishes; it historically supported ranching, irrigation and wildlife habitats along its riparian corridor. Today, man-made dams, water withdrawals and regional climate influence its year-round flow—making it a vital but variable resource for ecosystems and communities near Carlsbad, Fort Stockton_ and the US-Mexico border. Popular activities include fishing, canoeing, wildlife viewing and accessing regional parks; expect desert landscapes, canyon stretches and seasonal variations in water and flow.
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