Animas River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Animas River |
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Animas River at Durango and Silverton railroad crossing just north of confluence with Lime Creek
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 Location of the mouth of the Animas River in New Mexico
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| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado, New Mexico |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of North Fork Animas River and West Fork Animas River 37°55′53″N 107°34′10″W / 37.93139°N 107.56944°W San Juan County, CO 37°55′53″N 107°34′10″W / 37.93139°N 107.56944°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with San Juan San Juan County, NM 5,239 ft (1,597 m) 36°42′50″N 108°13′18″W / 36.71389°N 108.22167°W |
| Length | 126 mi (203 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Animas River (say it: On-e-mas) is a 126-mile-long (203 km) river in the western United States. It is a branch of the San Juan River. The San Juan River is part of the larger Colorado River System.
In 2015, the Animas-La Plata Water Project was finished. This project helps pump water to fill Lake Nighthorse. This reservoir helps meet water rights for the Southern Ute tribe.
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What's in a Name?
A Spanish explorer named Juan Maria de Rivera wrote down the name "Rio de las Animas" in 1765. In English, this means "River of Souls." Some people think the full name used to be "Rio de las Animas Perdidas," which means "River of Lost Souls."
Where the River Flows
The Animas River starts high up in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. It begins where the West and North forks meet near the ghost town of Animas Forks. The river then flows south past other ghost towns like Eureka and Howardsville.
At Silverton, the river enters the Animas Canyon. The famous Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad follows the river through this canyon all the way to Durango. From Durango, the river continues south into New Mexico. It flows through the town of Aztec before joining the San Juan River at Farmington. The Florida River is the only big river that flows into the Animas River, just north of the Colorado–New Mexico border.
Ancient History and People
The ancient Puebloan site of Aztec Ruins National Monument is located along the river. This site is in the modern-day town of Aztec. For much of its path, the river flows through lands belonging to the native Ute and Navajo tribes.
Wildlife Along the Animas
The Animas River is home to many animals. It is a habitat for both resident and migratory bald eagles. These eagles come to the river in the winter. They enjoy the parts of the river that do not freeze over.
2015 River Incident
In August 2015, an accident happened near the river. A team working for the EPA was investigating an old mine. They accidentally released about 3 million gallons of mine waste into Cement Creek. This creek flows into the Animas River.
The mine, called Gold King Mine, had been leaking some water for years. The spill made the river turn an orange color. It contained metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Other metals like aluminum and copper were also in the waste.
This event was very serious. The river was closed to the public. Businesses that depend on the river were worried. Fish in the river were also at risk. In 2016, reports showed that the spill added 880,000 pounds of metals to the river. Most of these metals settled into the riverbed.
Fun on the River
The Animas River is a popular spot for white water rafting. Many people come here for exciting river trips. It is a big part of Colorado's commercial rafting business.
The Animas is also a great place for fishing. It has many types of trout, including rainbow, brown, Colorado River cutthroat, and brook trout. The river is known as a "gold medal fishery" in some areas. You can fish all year round because the winter weather is mild.
Anglers often catch trout that are 12 to 16 inches (30 to 41 cm) long. Sometimes, even bigger trout, up to 22 inches (56 cm), are caught. Some brown trout as long as 36 inches (91 cm) have been found in the Animas.
See also
In Spanish: Río de las Ánimas para niños
