Braden River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Braden River |
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Braden River near bridge at 53rd Avenue East
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| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Manatee River |
| Length | 21 miles (34 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 83 square miles (210 km2) |
The Braden River is a waterway about 21 miles (34 km) long in west-central Florida. It collects water from an area of 83 square miles (215 km²). This area is called its watershed. The Braden River is the biggest stream that flows into the Manatee River.
How the Braden River Works (Hydrology)
The way the Braden River flows and carries water changed a lot in 1936. This happened when the city of Bradenton built a reservoir called Ward Lake. A reservoir is like a big, artificial lake used to store water.
This reservoir was built about 6 miles (9.7 km) upstream from where the river meets the Manatee River. It had a wide wall, called a weir, that was 838 feet (255 m) across. In 1985, the reservoir was made even bigger. Today, it provides about 5.7 million US gallons (21,600 m³) of water every day. This water is used by people in the area.
Different Parts of the River
The Braden River can be thought of as having three main parts, each with its own special features:
- The first part is about 8.6 miles (13.8 km) long. This section is a natural river channel. It flows freely, just as nature intended.
- The second part is about 6.4 miles (10.3 km) long. This is the part of the river that became Ward Lake. The water here is held back by the weir, creating the reservoir.
- The third part is about 6 miles (9.7 km) long. This section is a tidal estuary. An estuary is where the river's fresh water mixes with salty ocean water. The tides from the ocean affect this part of the river.
