Black River (Arizona) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black River |
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Black River
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 Location of the mouth of the Black River in Arizona
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| County | Apache, Graham, Navajo, Gila, Greenlee |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | near Alpine Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Greenlee County 7,480 ft (2,280 m) 33°45′03″N 109°21′46″W / 33.75083°N 109.36278°W |
| River mouth | Salt River Confluence with White River, Gila County 4,222 ft (1,287 m) 33°44′20″N 110°13′32″W / 33.73889°N 110.22556°W |
| Length | 114 mi (183 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 1,314 sq mi (3,400 km2) |
The Black River is a 114-mile-long river located in the White Mountains of Arizona, a state in the United States. It starts south of the town of Greer and west of Nutrioso and Alpine. The river flows southwest, then northwest. It eventually meets the White River west of Fort Apache.
When the Black River and White River join, they form the Salt River. The Salt River is a very important branch of the Gila River. Both the Salt and Gila rivers provide water for the Phoenix area. They also supply water for farms and crops in the valley. A person named James Ohio Pattie gave the river its name in 1826. He was exploring this part of Arizona's White Mountains at the time.
Where the River Flows
The Black River flows through several counties in Arizona. These include Apache, Greenlee, Graham, Navajo, and Gila counties.
For some parts of its journey, the river acts as a natural border. It forms the boundary between Apache and Greenlee counties. Further downstream, it separates Apache and Graham counties. Even further, it marks the line between Graham and Navajo counties.
Along its lower sections, the Black River forms the border between two Native American reservations. To the north is the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. To the south is the San Carlos Indian Reservation. The river also flows near the Bear Wallow Wilderness. A stream called Bear Wallow Creek, which flows through this wilderness, is one of the Black River's smaller branches.
Some areas along the lower river are hard to reach. Many roads there are not paved. They might not even be marked on regular maps. If you visit, you might see bears! Indian route 9 crosses the river at a spot called Black River Crossing.
Animals and Plants of the Black River
The Black River is home to many different kinds of fish. You can find rainbow trout, brown trout, and smallmouth bass here. In total, there are 13 types of fish in the river. Other common fish include channel catfish, desert suckers, and fathead minnows. Special types of mussels, called Anodonta californiensis, have also been found.
The East Fork Black River and West Fork Black River are two branches that join to form the main river. These branches have populations of brown trout and Apache trout. The small streams at the very start of the river are full of aquatic insects. Over 30 different kinds of caddisflies live there.
The Black River watershed is known for having some of the best places for sports fishing in Arizona. However, if you want to fish on the Native American reservations, you will need special permits.
The plants that grow along the riverbanks are called riparian plants. These include different kinds of willows and cottonwoods. You can also find alders and saltcedar trees. Many animals live in or near the river. These include beaver, muskrats, great blue herons, mallards, and osprey.
See also
In Spanish: Río Negro (Arizona) para niños
