Discover the Rio Grande: Top 8 Fascinating and Fun Facts to Amaze You!

1. Fence-Liquidating River

Whoever said 'good fences make good neighbors' clearly hasn't seen the Rio Grande River: the meandering marvel, quite literally, liquidating the longstanding border dispute between the United States and Mexico! And in the process, it manages to generously quench the thirst of over 6 million people and 2 million acres of land – all while courageously striving to keep up with the border regions' rapid industrialization and population growth.
Source => ibwc.gov

2. Parched Prima Donna

Ever heard of the Rio Grande River's grand performance as the world's most parched prima donna? The water-nymph who conquered the desert, despite being all wet: You see, the Rio Grande flows through the super arid Rio Grande-Albuquerque Watershed that only enjoys a meager 6-16 inches of annual rainfall, yet still boasts a flow rate of 1,000 cubic feet per second, providing life-giving surface water in the midst of desolation. Its starring watersheds even feature supporting cast members like Cochiti Lake and Elephant Butte Reservoir, to make sure the show goes on, despite those pesky drought intermissions!
Source => snoflo.org

Discover the binge-worthy adventure of the Colorado River, flowing through 11 national parks and monuments across 1,450 miles, covering 8% of the US territory. Get ready to be amazed!

=> Fun Facts about The-Colorado-River

3. Underwater Hogwarts

Who says owls and fish can't be river buddies? The Rio Grande River hosts an exclusive "Underwater Hogwarts" for the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow and the rare Mexican spotted owl: This multifaceted river is teeming with biodiversity, boasting over 350 species of birds and myriad wildlife, making it a veritable wonderland for the wide array of creatures it supports.
Source => thestoryoftexas.com

4. Reel-y Fun River

If you're angling for a good time, the Rio Grande River is reel-y the place to be: this aquatic haven boasts Colorado's longest stretch of Gold Medal Water in the San Luis Valley, complemented by a myriad of camping, hiking, floating, and whitewater rafting options certain to leave visitors completely hooked!
Source => uncovercolorado.com

5. Bouncer Dams

Dams are like bouncers for rivers: they keep the flow under control, and the Rio Grande River is no exception with an entourage of 15 dams along its route! Plot twist: many of these dams are actually in New Mexico, and their purpose goes beyond river flow regulation. Thanks to the Treaty of 1944 between the US and Mexico, water along the Texas-Mexico Border gets partitioned, turning the Rio Grande River into a well-organized H2O distribution system for both agricultural and municipal use.
Source => e-education.psu.edu

6. Walking Fish

Who said fish can't walk? The Rio Grande Silvery Minnow begs to differ: For the first time in 40 years, the Rio Grande River in Albuquerque, New Mexico has run dry due to severe drought conditions, leaving the endangered minnows to be collected by officials as they navigate their parched 100-mile home, and with 85% of New Mexico facing dire drought levels, it seems these cool fish could use a splash of optimism.
Source => smithsonianmag.com

7. Mr. International River

If the Rio Grande were a contestant on "The Longest Rivers of the World: Reality TV Edition," it would proudly strut down the riverbank runway, snatching the titles of "Mr. International" and "Long-distance Collector of Continent Water": Clocking in at 1,901 miles, the Rio Grande River is not just the fifth longest river in the United States, but also one of the top twenty longest rivers in the world. Starting from the San Juan Mountains in Colorado and sashaying all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico, it forms a 1,255-mile segment of the US-Mexico border. With half of its watershed in Mexico and the other half in the United States, this bi-national H2O hero supplies water for drinking and irrigation to more than six million people and two million acres of land. Indeed, the Rio Grande is making a splash across nations!
Source => ibwc.gov

8. Landscape Sculpting Master

When the Rio Grande isn't busy sipping margaritas or practicing its salsa moves (a lively river, indeed!), it spends its time sculpting stunning masterpieces: Did you know that this multi-talented river has carved out three of North America's most awe-inspiring canyons in the Big Bend region? Sadly, its artistic pursuits are put on hold, as human meddling such as impoundment, irrigation, and water diversion seriously restrict its creative flow.
Source => nps.gov