Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area |
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Flaming Gorge Reservoir
with namesake red sandstone cliffs. |
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 Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Location in Wyoming
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Location in Utah
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sweetwater County, Wyoming / Daggett County, Utah, USA |
| Nearest city | Green River, Wyoming |
| Area | 207,363 acres (839.17 km2) |
| Established | October 1, 1968 |
| Governing body | United States Forest Service |
| Website | Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area |
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is a super cool outdoor spot in the United States. It stretches across parts of Wyoming and Utah. The main attraction here is the amazing Flaming Gorge Reservoir. This huge lake is about 91 miles (146 km) long! It's a perfect place for adventures and enjoying nature.
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History of Flaming Gorge
The name "Flaming Gorge" was given to this area by a famous explorer. His name was John Wesley Powell. He explored the Green River in 1869. He called it "Flaming Gorge" because of the beautiful, bright red sandstone cliffs. These cliffs surround the river and look like they are on fire!
The large lake, called the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, was created later. This happened in 1964. Workers built the Flaming Gorge Dam across the Green River. This dam helped form the big reservoir we see today.
What Flaming Gorge is Used For
Flaming Gorge is used for a few important things. It helps make electricity and offers lots of fun activities.
Making Power at Flaming Gorge Dam
The Flaming Gorge Dam is very important for making hydroelectric power. This means it uses the force of water to create electricity. Inside the dam, there are three special machines. These are called turbines and generators.
Each of these machines can make a lot of electrical power. They can produce 50,650 kilowatts of electricity each. This power helps light up homes and businesses.
Fun Activities at Flaming Gorge
The Ashley National Forest helps manage the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. This means they help keep it nice for everyone to enjoy.
There are so many fun things to do here! You can go camping under the stars. You can also enjoy biking on trails or try rock climbing on the cliffs. If you love water, you can go paddling or boating on the Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Many people also enjoy fishing in the lake. For a different kind of water adventure, you can go rafting on the Green River below the dam. There are also many great spots for hiking and exploring.
