Frenchman River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frenchman River |
|
|---|---|
| Countries |
|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Cypress Hills 49°28′35″N 109°23′43″W / 49.47641°N 109.39518°W 975 meters (3,199 ft) |
| River mouth | Milk River 48°31′02″N 107°15′05″W / 48.517351°N 107.251295°W |
| Length | 341 kilometers (212 mi) |
The Frenchman River, also called Frenchman Creek, is a river that flows through Saskatchewan, Canada and Montana, United States. It is about 341 kilometers (212 mi) long.
This river is a tributary of the Milk River. A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one. The Milk River then flows into the Missouri River.
The name "Frenchman River" might come from the Métis people or French-speaking settlers who lived along its banks around the early 1900s. A rock layer called the Frenchman Formation was named after this river.
Where the River Flows
The Frenchman River starts in the Cypress Hills, near Cypress Lake. This starting point, called the headwaters, is very high up, at about 975 meters (3,199 ft) above sea level.
The river flows east towards a town called Eastend. Then, it turns to the south-east. Along its path, there are several reservoirs, which are like large man-made lakes. These include Eastend Reservoir, Huff Lake, and Newton Lake. The water from the river is used a lot to help water crops, a process called irrigation.
As the river flows through Grasslands National Park, it starts to curve and loop a lot. This creates interesting bends called meanders. Finally, the river turns south and crosses into Montana. It then joins the Milk River in Phillips County, Montana, north of a town called Saco.
Fish Living in the River
Many different kinds of fish live in the Frenchman River. Some of the fish species you might find include walleye, yellow perch, and northern pike. Other fish that call this river home are burbot, common carp, white sucker, and shorthead redhorse.
