The San Juan River Fishes GREAT in Droughts
Navajo dam keeps flows abundant and cold
The San Juan River's Quality Waters are quite unique. While there are many tailwater fisheries across the U.S., very few possess the distinctive factors that create a fishery nearly impervious to drought. When the rest of the West is running dry and streams face hoot owl restrictions, the San Juan River offers predictable fishing that you can plan trips around year after year.
42°F Water Year-Round
summer heat doesn't affect us
The Quality Waters of the San Juan River are fed from the very bottom of the 400-foot-tall Navajo Dam. The nutrient-rich water from this depth always comes out at 42°F. The sun doesn't warm it and the cold doesn't freeze it. We like to say that fish have no idea whether it's summer or winter. They only know that every single day of the year, the conditions are perfect.
Higher Summer Flows
more water, not less
The reservoir above the Quality Waters was built for irrigation. This means that more water is released during the summer for the growing season. While many freestone rivers start to have tapering flows as early as June, the San Juan flows at comfortably wadable levels all summer long.
Stable Flows
very little day-to-day fluctuation
Unlike dams built primarily for power generation, where flows can fluctuate throughout the day in response to electricity demand, Navajo Dam is operated largely to support irrigation and water management. As a result, releases into the San Juan River tend to remain relatively consistent from day to day. The Bureau of Reclamation does make incremental adjustments from time to time, but most changes are gradual and seasonal rather than sudden or frequent.
Ready to Fly Fish the San Juan?
We’d love to host you
Whether you’re party of one, a family of first-timers, or a group of business associates, we're here to make your trip the best it can be. No matter the season, settle in and enjoy legendary fishing with guides who live and breathe this river.