Butler Valley (Arizona) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Butler Valley |
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 Butler Valley
Location in Arizona
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| Length | 35 mi (56 km) SW x NE |
| Width | 9 mi (14 km) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| Regions | Maria fold and thrust belt and Sonoran Desert |
| County | La Paz |
| Population center | Bouse, Arizona |
| Borders on | Buckskin Mountains and Harcuvar Mountains |
Butler Valley is a long valley in western Arizona, United States. It's part of a special area called the Maria fold and thrust belt. This area has many mountains and valleys that were formed by huge forces in the Earth's crust.
The valley is located east of the Colorado River. To its south is the Bill Williams River, which flows west.
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Exploring Butler Valley's Geography
Butler Valley is a large valley, about 35 miles (56 km) long and 9 miles (14 km) wide. It's surrounded by several mountain ranges. These include the Buckskin Mountains to the north and the Harcuvar Mountains to the south.
How Water Flows in the Valley
Water in Butler Valley flows in different directions. The southwest part of the valley drains into a stream called Bouse Wash. This stream eventually flows northwest.
However, the northeast part of the valley drains towards Alamo Lake. This lake is only about 10 miles (16 km) away. So, depending on where you are in the valley, water might flow towards the southwest or the northeast!
Important Roads and Passes
A road called Cunningham Pass goes through the northern part of Butler Valley. This road is about 30 miles (48 km) long. It's an important way to get to Alamo Lake State Park. The road travels through the valley and then goes around the northeast side of the Buckskin Mountains to reach the lake.
Mountains Around Butler Valley
Butler Valley is located between three major mountain ranges. These mountains were formed by a process called "thrust faulting." This is when huge blocks of the Earth's crust are pushed over each other.
The main mountain ranges in this area are:
Butler Valley sits between the Buckskin Mountains and the Harcuvar Mountains. Another valley, McMullen Valley, is located between the Harcuvar Mountains and the Harquahala Mountains.
The Wider Region
The area around Butler Valley is quite vast. It includes many other landforms. For example, to the northwest, you'll find the Cactus Plain and the Cactus Plain Wilderness.
The Bill Williams River forms the northern border of this mountain and valley region. This river is also a natural dividing line between two major deserts: the Mojave Desert to the north and the Sonoran Desert to the south.
