East Fork Rio Chama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Fork Rio Chama |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Conejos County, Colorado 37°07′53″N 106°33′03″W / 37.13139°N 106.55083°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with West Fork 9,272 ft (2,826 m) 37°05′29″N 106°33′03″W / 37.09139°N 106.55083°W |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Rio Chama—Rio Grande |
The East Fork Rio Chama is a cool river that flows through southern Colorado. It's like a smaller stream that joins up with another one to form a bigger, more famous river. This river is an important part of the Rio Chama river system.
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Where the River Starts
The East Fork Rio Chama begins its journey high up in the mountains. It starts from a place called Dipping Lakes. These lakes are located near the continental divide. The continental divide is like a giant ridge. It separates which way water flows across a continent. Water on one side flows to one ocean, and water on the other side flows to a different ocean.
Journey Through Colorado
The river flows south from its mountain source. It travels through Conejos County, Colorado. This county is in the southern part of Colorado. As the river moves, it collects water from smaller streams.
Joining Another River
The East Fork Rio Chama doesn't stay on its own forever. It meets up with another river called the West Fork Rio Chama. This meeting point is called a confluence. It happens in Archuleta County, Colorado.
Forming the Rio Chama
When the East Fork and West Fork Rio Chama join, they create a new, larger river. This new river is simply called the Rio Chama. So, the East Fork is a key part of how the Rio Chama gets started.
River's End Point
The place where the East Fork Rio Chama joins the West Fork is pretty high up. It's about 9,272 feet (or 2,826 meters) above sea level. This shows just how high in the mountains this river system begins.
