The Rio Bonito is a small river in the Sierra Blanca mountains of southern New Mexico, United States.[1] The headwaters of the river start in the Lincoln National Forest on the slopes of Sierra Blanca and travel eastward until they merge with the south fork of the Rio Bonito just west of Bonito Lake, a man-made reservoir. After passing through the reservoir, the river continues in a generally eastward direction passing through the historic Fort Stanton and the home of Billy the Kid, Lincoln, New Mexico. 10 miles (16 km) past Lincoln the Rio Bonito merges with the Rio Ruidoso in the town of Hondo, New Mexico where the two rivers join to form the Rio Hondo which then flows towards the Pecos River. Though not reaching the Pecos except during floods.
| Rio Bonito | |
|---|---|
| Etymology | Beautiful river |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| Counties | Lincoln |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Sierra Blanca Mountains |
| • location | Lincoln County |
| • coordinates | 33°24′57″N 105°49′16″W |
| • elevation | 3,002 m (9,849 ft) |
| Mouth | Rio Hondo (New Mexico) |
• location | Hondo, New Mexico |
• coordinates | 33°22′54″N 105°16′17″W |
• elevation | 1,615 m (5,299 ft) |
| Length | 44 miles |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Pecos |
Several fish species live within the waters of the Rio Ruidoso, including:[2]
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