Colville River (Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Colville River |
|
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 2,146 ft (654 m) 48°7′11″N 117°45′49″W / 48.11972°N 117.76361°W |
| River mouth | Columbia River Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake, Washington (state) 1,300 ft (400 m) 48°34′23″N 118°6′24″W / 48.57306°N 118.10667°W |
| Length | 60 mi (97 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 1,010 sq mi (2,600 km2) |
The Colville River is a cool river in northeastern Washington State, United States. It flows for about 60 miles (100 kilometers) and is an important part of the local environment. This river is a "tributary," which means it's a smaller river that flows into a much bigger one – in this case, the mighty Columbia River.
Where the Colville River Flows
The Colville River starts its journey in the southern part of Stevens County, Washington. It's born when two smaller streams, called Sheep Creek and Deer Creek, join together. Imagine two small paths meeting to form a bigger road!
From its start, the river flows mostly towards the northwest. It passes by the town of Colville, which shares its name with the river. Finally, the Colville River empties into the Columbia River near a place called Kettle Falls. At this point, the Columbia River is part of Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake.
River's Journey: Start to End
The Colville River begins at an elevation of about 2,146 feet (654 meters) above sea level. As it travels, it gradually drops in elevation. By the time it reaches the Columbia River, it's at about 1,300 feet (396 meters) above sea level. This drop in height helps the water flow!
How Much Water Flows?
On average, about 429 cubic feet (12.2 cubic meters) of water flow out of the Colville River every second where it meets the Columbia River. That's like filling a small swimming pool in just a few seconds! The river also has a "basin size" of about 1,010 square miles (2,616 square kilometers). This means all the land where rain and snow melt eventually drain into the Colville River.
