Bridgeport Valley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bridgeport Valley |
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View of the Sierra Nevada from the floor of the Bridgeport Valley
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| Length | 10 mi (16 km) |
| Width | 7.5 mi (12.1 km) |
| Area | 45 sq mi (120 km2) |
| Depth | 2,000 ft (610 m) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Mono County |
| Population center | Bridgeport |
| River | East Walker River |
The Bridgeport Valley is a large, green valley in the state of California, USA. It sits between the tall Sierra Nevada mountains and the Bodie Hills. This valley is about 10 miles (16 km) long and 7.5 miles (12 km) wide. People mostly use the land here for ranching, which means raising cattle.
The main river flowing through Bridgeport Valley is the East Walker River. Smaller streams like Robinson and Swauger Creeks also join it. The only town in the valley is Bridgeport. It's close to the Bridgeport Reservoir, a lake formed by a dam at the valley's northern end.
Contents
What is Bridgeport Valley?
Bridgeport Valley is a special kind of valley called a "graben." Imagine a block of land that has dropped down between two faults. Faults are cracks in the Earth's crust. This dropping created the valley floor.
Over time, rivers flowing from the Sierra Nevada mountains brought lots of dirt and rocks. These materials filled the valley, making its floor flat. This flat, fertile land is why it's great for ranching.
How Big is the Valley?
Even though the mountains around it are very steep, the valley floor is mostly flat. It sits at an elevation of about 6,460 feet (1,969 meters) above sea level.
On the western side, the mountains rise sharply, sometimes as much as 3,000 feet (914 meters). The eastern side has gentler slopes, rising about 1,500 to 2,500 feet (457 to 762 meters). Many mountain peaks around the valley are taller than 10,000 feet (3,048 meters). The highest mountain right next to the valley is Mount Jackson, which is 9,377 feet (2,858 meters) high.
Rivers and Streams
The East Walker River is very important to the valley. It flows through the area, providing water for the ranches and wildlife. Robinson Creek is another key stream. It has created a large fan-shaped area of rich soil called an "alluvial fan." This fan makes a big part of the valley floor very fertile and well-watered. This is why the valley was sometimes called "Big Meadows."
Roads and Forests
Two main roads cross the Bridgeport Valley. U.S. Highway 395 runs from the southeast to the northwest. California State Route 182 also goes through the northern part of the valley.
The northern, western, and southwestern parts of the valley are next to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. This is a large forest area managed by the government.
A Bit of History
In 1857, people found gold near Bridgeport Valley. This discovery started the first big gold rush in California on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Many people came hoping to find their fortune.
