Piedra

We had a great run in two packrafts and a Blue Hole canoe today. We paddled from just below the campground put in to Windsurf point on Navajo Lake, about 22 miles. It took us around 6 or so hours. Wanted to update this section with more beta for intrepid explorers!

The first 5-6 miles include around 25-30 diversion dams. A handful have 2 drops (pictured below) and many have 1. The drops range from 1-3 or so feet.

Most were runnable, some needed to be portaged given low flows and weirdness of the diversions. A lot of them were recirculating after the drop, but easy to punch through. Curious to see it at higher flows and if it would get more reciruclating or more splashy/fun.

After passing through the Chimney Rock National Monument, the river has more of a natural feel, with mostly riffles and small rapids. Then the river rejoins Hwy 151 and it has a few more manmade features with a few diversion dams until it meets up with lake Navajo. One hazard of note is the 3 barbed wire fences running across the whole river in this section. All of them were runnable river center because they were fully submerged in the water and easy to navigate. However, something to be heads up for because sketch!

Would recommend taking out at the Piedra River takeout, rather than running all the way into the reservoir, unless you're psyched on more water. Coordinates are: 37.062486, -107.413955

Last thing of note was after calling the Southern Ute Tribal Office, it seemed like they wanted recreational boaters to get fishing permits. A lot of the run is on tribal land and would advise other boaters get them to maintain a good relationship and be respectful in this area. Here is a link to the permits: https://store.southernute-nsn.gov/product-category/hunting-fishing/

Here is a map of places you are allowed to go on land with a fishing permit: https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/01/FAPiedra25-1.pdf

Great stretch that is slept on. Excellent for small boats and quite fun in a canoe!

Lower Piedra at ~850cfs

Title should be changed to 'Lower Piedra CG to Navajo Reservoir' (replace the word 'Reservation' with 'Reservoir'. While the San Juan does eventually get to the Navajo Reservation, this piece doesn't.