Blackfoot River (Idaho) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackfoot River |
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Blackfoot River
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Location of the mouth of the Blackfoot River in Idaho
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| Country | United States |
| State | Idaho |
| Counties | Caribou County, Idaho, Bingham County, Idaho |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | northeast of Soda Springs, Caribou County, Idaho 6,443 ft (1,964 m) 42°50′22″N 111°18′32″W / 42.83944°N 111.30889°W |
| River mouth | Snake River southwest of Blackfoot, Bingham County, Idaho 4,413 ft (1,345 m) 43°07′38″N 112°30′22″W / 43.12722°N 112.50611°W |
| Length | 135 mi (217 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 1,097 sq mi (2,840 km2) |
The Blackfoot River is a river in Idaho, a state in the United States. It's a tributary of the Snake River, which means it's a smaller river that flows into the Snake River.
The Blackfoot River starts where two smaller streams, Diamond Creek and Lanes Creek, join together. It flows for about 135 miles (217 km) until it reaches the Snake River. This river is part of a much larger water system called the Columbia River Basin.
The land area that drains water into the Blackfoot River is about 1,097 square miles (2,841 km²). The river's average water flow is about 210 cubic feet per second. Sometimes, it can flow as fast as 2,130 cubic feet per second, but other times, it can have no flow at all.
The river gets its name from the Blackfoot Indians. This is interesting because the Blackfoot people never actually lived in the area around this river. The river was first explored and mapped by the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Contents
Journey of the Blackfoot River
The Blackfoot River begins in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest in Caribou County, Idaho. It forms when Diamond Creek and Lanes Creek meet near a town called Soda Springs, Idaho.
Flowing Through the Landscape
From its start, the river flows northwest. It passes through the Blackfoot Reservoir, which is like a big lake created by a dam. This reservoir helps control floods and stores water for farms. After the reservoir, the river turns west and eventually joins the Snake River in Bingham County, Idaho.
Where Rivers Begin
The very beginning of the Blackfoot River is close to where two other rivers, the Bear River and the Portneuf River, also start. All three rivers begin in a small, flat area near Soda Springs. Some streams from this area flow north to the Blackfoot River, others go south to the Bear River, and some flow west to the Portneuf River.
The River's Surroundings
The Blackfoot River flows through a region that has many basalt rock formations. These rocks were formed from ancient lava flows in the Blackfoot – Gem Valley area.
Nature Along the River
Near its source, the Blackfoot River flows through open marshlands and grassy areas. As it continues, it enters a place called the Blackfoot Narrows. This part of the river goes through a desert canyon. Here, you'll mostly see sagebrush plants and juniper trees.
Wildlife and Activities
The Blackfoot Narrows is a great spot to see birds of prey, like hawks and eagles, flying overhead. If you enjoy fishing, the Blackfoot River is also known for good trout fishing.
