Jaeger's Slough facts for kids

Jaeger's Slough was once a part of the Colorado River in California. Imagine a small, slow-moving waterway that used to be a main river channel! It became a "slough" (pronounced "sloo") sometime before 1849. A slough is like a quiet side channel or a marshy area that connects to a larger river or lake.

What Was Jaeger's Slough?

Jaeger's Slough was an old path of the mighty Colorado River. It was a long, narrow waterway that branched off from the main river. Over time, the river changed its course, and this part became a separate, calmer channel.

Where Was It Located?

The slough started on the north side of the Colorado River, which is in California. Back then, the main river channel flowed a few miles northwest and then east of Fort Yuma. The slough then curved around and met the river again about a mile west of Fort Yuma. You can see it on an old map from 1849 made by Lieutenant Amiel Weeks Whipple.

Life Along the Slough

Lieutenant Whipple's map also shows two Quechan villages located right along the slough. The Quechan people were Native Americans who lived in this area. The slough was very important to them.

• Natural Farming: Every year, usually in May and June, the Colorado River would flood. This meant Jaeger's Slough would also fill up with water.
• Rich Soil: As the floodwaters slowly went down, they left behind rich, fertile mud. This mud was perfect for growing crops.
• Growing Food: The Quechan people would plant their crops in this newly watered and fertilized soil. This was a common and smart way for native people to farm along the Colorado River.

Later History and Changes

Over the years, the area around Jaeger's Slough saw new developments.

• Jaeger's Ferry: A ferry crossing called Jaeger's Ferry was later built just west of where the slough met the river. Ferries helped people and goods cross the river.
• Jaeger City: A small settlement called Jaeger City also grew up nearby.
• The Mohave II: In January 1900, an old steamboat named the Mohave II was brought into the slough. Its engines were removed, and it was left there to slowly decay.

What Remains Today?

The Colorado River kept changing its path over time. These changes eventually cut off Jaeger's Slough from the main river. Parts of the old slough have even been used to build canals, which are man-made waterways for irrigation or transportation.

Today, only a small piece of Jaeger's Slough remains. You can find it as a small inlet on the north bank of the river, right across from Yuma, Arizona. It's located at 32°43′50″N 114°37′45″W / 32.73056°N 114.62917°W / 32.73056; -114.62917. This small inlet is a quiet reminder of a once-important waterway and the history of the Colorado River.