McElmo Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McElmo Creek |
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McElmo Creek, with the La Plata Mountains
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 37°21′33″N 108°29′10″W / 37.35917°N 108.48611°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with San Juan 4,462 ft (1,360 m) 37°12′52″N 109°11′33″W / 37.21444°N 109.19250°W |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | San Juan—Colorado |
| Basin size | 711 sq mi (1,840 km2) |
McElmo Creek is a stream about 70 miles (113 km) long. It flows through parts of Colorado and Utah. This creek is a "tributary," which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger one. McElmo Creek eventually joins the San Juan River in Utah. The creek starts near Cortez, a town in Colorado.
How the Creek Changed
For many years, McElmo Creek was quite small. But its water flow increased a lot after 1889. This happened because of a big project called the Montezuma Tunnel.
The Montezuma Tunnel was built to move water from the Dolores River. This water was used to "irrigate" the dry Montezuma Valley. Irrigation means bringing water to dry land to help crops grow.
When farmers irrigated their fields, some water would run off. Other water would leak from canals. This extra water found its way into McElmo Creek. This made the creek much bigger and flow more strongly than before.
Helping Fish in the Creek
Scientists care about the fish that live in McElmo Creek. In 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service installed a special device. It's called a PIT antenna.
A PIT antenna helps scientists track fish. Some fish are given tiny tags, like a microchip. When a tagged fish swims over the antenna, it records the fish's movement. This helps experts understand how endangered fish are moving and living in the creek.
