Buffalo Fork (Wyoming) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buffalo Fork |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Buffalo Plateau 10,600 ft (3,200 m) 43°57′08″N 109°51′27″W / 43.95222°N 109.85750°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with Snake River 6,710 ft (2,050 m) 43°50′20″N 110°30′53″W / 43.83889°N 110.51472°W |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 323 sq mi (840 km2) |
The Buffalo Fork is a river in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It starts in a wild area called the Teton Wilderness. This wilderness is part of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The river has two main parts, a north branch and a south branch. Both branches begin very close to the Continental Divide. The Buffalo Fork flows southwest. It eventually enters Grand Teton National Park. The river then joins the famous Snake River near a town called Moran, Wyoming. The area of land that drains into the Buffalo Fork is about 323 square miles (840 km2).
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Exploring the Buffalo Fork River
The Buffalo Fork is a beautiful river in Wyoming. It flows through amazing natural landscapes. This river is important for the plants and animals that live there. It also helps shape the land around it.
Where Does the Buffalo Fork Begin?
The Buffalo Fork river starts high up in the mountains. Its source is on the Buffalo Plateau. This area is part of the Teton Wilderness. The wilderness is a protected natural space. It is within the larger Bridger-Teton National Forest.
The river's two main branches begin near the Continental Divide. This is a high ridge of mountains. It separates the rivers that flow to the Pacific Ocean from those that flow to the Atlantic Ocean. The Buffalo Fork starts on the western side of this divide.
The River's Journey and Where it Ends
From its mountain source, the Buffalo Fork flows downhill. It travels southwest through forests and valleys. The river eventually reaches Grand Teton National Park. This park is famous for its tall, jagged mountains.
The Buffalo Fork continues its journey through the park. It finally empties into the Snake River. This meeting point is called a confluence. It happens near the small town of Moran, Wyoming. The Snake River is a much larger and longer river.
How High and How Fast Does it Flow?
The Buffalo Fork starts at a high elevation. Its source is about 10,600 ft (3,200 m) above sea level. By the time it joins the Snake River, it has dropped significantly. The mouth of the river is about 6,710 ft (2,050 m) high. This drop in elevation helps the water flow.
The river carries a lot of water. On average, about 492 cu ft/s (13.9 m3/s) of water flows past a certain point every second. This shows how powerful the river can be.
The River's Watershed
A watershed is an area of land. All the water from this land drains into a specific river or lake. The Buffalo Fork has a watershed that covers about 323 square miles (840 km2). This means all the rain and snow that falls in this large area eventually flows into the Buffalo Fork.
The health of the watershed is very important. It affects the quality of the water in the river. It also impacts the plants and animals that depend on the river.
