Recreational Guide: The Colorado River
Posted by Goody on 08/1/08 in Uncategorized
The Colorado River is one of the most recognized and heavily visited river in all of North America. Better known as the river that runs through the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River also runs through many other famous landscapes and destinations. Outside of its destination, the Colorado River is also recognized as a historical landscape as one of the oldest rivers in the world.
Colorado River GeographyThe Colorado River is the main river in southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The actual headwaters of the river are located in Rocky Mountain National Park. The river flows through Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California and Mexico. The river is approximately 1,450 mi (2,330 km) long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The Colorado River begins at an elevation of about 9,000 feet. Many other rivers flow into the Colorado River, adding to its volume and size. The river begins by flowing through Lake Granby along what is currently Highway 40. Shortly after Kremmling, the Eagle River meets up with the Colorado River. Then, after flowing through Glenwood Springs, the Roaring Fork River converges with the Colorado River. Past Grand Junctions, CO, the Gunnision river meets the Colorado river and flows into Utah and Westwater Canyon. After flowing through the Moab area, the Colorado River meets with the large Green River, forming a huge confluence of water. From there, the river flows into Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam. As the river flows down into Arizona, it is met by the Paria River and the Little Colorado River. Once it meets the Little Colorado, the river begins its decent into the Grand Canyon. Near Nevada, the river form another confluence with the Virgin River, flowing into Lake Mead. Finally, continuing south the river meets the Gila River and flows through southern California, forming the border between Baja California and Sonora. By then, the river has dwindled down to a small stream due to heavy irrigation usage in the southern regions. By the end of the flow, it is at sea level.The Colorado River drains 242,900 sq mi (629,100 km²). Total flows of the river range, depending on the season and rainfall. The river levels can be anywhere from 20,000 cubic feet per second (570 m³/s) in droughts to 1,000,000 ft³/s (28,000 m³/s) in severe floods. The average flow of the total river before diversion is 42,600 ft³/s (1206 m³/s). Since dams have been put in place along the river, it is rare that extreme flooding occurs. The dams were constructed for making electricity and can control river flow. It is interesting to note that at full flow, more runoff volume exists in the Colorado River than any other in North America except the Mississippi and the Columbia. Colorado River HistoryThe , and support more weight and gear. Usually white water rafting trips on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon run anywhere from 2-7 days long.
About the author
Ryan Hutchings is the Executive Director for the leading
organization of white water rafting outfitters
across North America, Rafting America.
He has extensive involvement with outfitters and the river rafting
industry across the US, Canada and South America. Ryan specializes in internet marketing and
online business strategy.
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