There are two charts on the Captains Blog that show the rise and fall of the Amazon River over the course of the year.

The most legible one is from 2007 Water Level is Dropping, Iquitos Peru. Above the graph is the explanation of the colored lines. It is difficult to make out the months at the bottom but know that the lowest point on all the lines are in September.

The most recent chart is Water Level, Amazon River, May 1st, Iquitos Peru. On this chart an explanation of the color coded lines is below the chart. The months are even more difficult to read but again, know that the lowest the lines go on the chart are in September.

The current speed always depends on where you are in the channel. On the outside bend, called the “cut bank” where the water is forced, will nearly always be the fastest, 8 to 10 mph, the shallow inside of the bend where the sand bar or mud bar is, called the “slip slope” will nearly always be the slowest, near zero, sometimes with a back wash.

A person on a raft or boat always wants to follow the strongest current downstream. That usually means crossing the river to be on the “cut bank” side, zig, zagging your way down stream in the strongest current. Your mantra should be “going farther, goes faster”. Never be tempted to take a short cut on the “slip slope” side. You will lose speed, time, placement, and distance.

I hope this is valuable information for you.

Bill Grimes