Devils River (Texas)

The Devils River in southwestern Texas, part of the Rio Grande drainage basin, has limited areas of whitewater along its length. It begins in northwest Sutton County, at 30°19′40″N 100°56′31″W / 30.32778°N 100.94194°W / 30.32778; -100.94194,^[1] where six watercourses come together, Dry Devils River, Granger Draw, House Draw, Jackson, Flat Rock Draw, and Rough Canyon. It flows southwest for 94 miles (151 km) through Val Verde County and empties into the northeastern shore of the Amistad Reservoir,^[2] an impoundment of the Rio Grande near Del Rio, Texas on the Texas/Mexico border, 29°27′33″N 101°3′34″W / 29.45917°N 101.05944°W / 29.45917; -101.05944.^[1] The discharge of the Devils River, as measured at IBWC gaging station 08-4494.00 near the river's mouth, averages 362 cubic feet per second (10.3 m³/s), with a maximum of 122,895 cubic feet per second (3,480 m³/s) and a minimum of 54 cubic feet per second (1.53 m³/s). Its drainage basin above that point is 10,259 square kilometres (3,961 sq mi).^[3]

The Devils River is considered the most unspoiled river in Texas.^[4] Its remote location in a hostile environment limits pollution from human and domestic animal populations. In addition, the river flows underground for part of its journey. As it passes underground, the gravel, sand and limestone scrub the river water clean before it re-emerges some 20 miles (32 km) downstream.

The Devils River Conservancy is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Devils River for future generations of Texans and works throughout the basin to promote conservation ethics among landowners and paddlers.