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Blue Creek Valley
Blue Creek Valley is located in Utah
Blue Creek Valley
Blue Creek Valley
Location in Utah
Length 18 mi (29 km) N-S
Width 8 mi (13 km)
Geography
Country United States
State Utah
Region Great Basin Desert
County Box Elder
Communities Blue Creek and Howell
Borders on
River Blue Creek Spring
Lake Blue Creek Reservoir

Blue Creek Valley is a long valley in Box Elder County, Utah. It stretches about 18 miles (29 km) long. This valley is special because it is an endorheic basin. This means that any water that flows into the valley stays there and does not flow out to a river or ocean. The lowest point in the valley is the Blue Creek Reservoir.

The valley is surrounded by mountains. To the east and southeast are the West Hills and Blue Spring Hills. The Promontory Mountains are to the south. A smaller mountain range called the North Promontory Mountains forms the western side. To the north, Blue Creek Valley meets the Pocatello Valley in Idaho.

What is Blue Creek Valley Like?

Blue Creek Valley is quite narrow, only about 5 to 8 miles (8 to 13 km) wide. Because it's narrow, many small creeks flow into it from all directions. The most important water source is the Blue Creek Spring, which is about 2 miles (3 km) northeast of the Blue Creek Reservoir. This spring is the main feeder for the reservoir.

The water from Blue Creek Reservoir flows south, past the town of Howell, Utah. This area is mostly farmland. The southern end of the valley is marked by the foothills of the Promontory Mountains. A mountain called Engineer Mountain, which is about 5,400 feet (1,646 meters) tall, is part of this area. Water from the northern parts of the Promontory Mountains drains into the southern part of Blue Creek Valley. However, some water from the southwest side of these mountains flows towards the Bear River Bay, which is part of the Great Salt Lake.

Lowest Point in the Valley

The lowest part of Blue Creek Valley is located south of the Blue Creek Reservoir, near the farmlands around Howell, Utah. The Blue Creek Reservoir itself sits at an elevation of about 4,593 feet (1,400 meters) above sea level.

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