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Medicine Bow River facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Wpdms nasa topo medicine bow river
The Medicine Bow River, a beautiful waterway in Wyoming.
Quick facts for kids
Medicine Bow River
Physical characteristics
Main source Snowy Range, Carbon County, Wyoming
River mouth Seminoe Reservoir, Carbon County, Wyoming
6,360 feet (1,940 m)
Length 167 miles (269 km)
Basin features
Basin size 2,338 square miles (6,060 km2)

The Medicine Bow River is a long river in southern Wyoming, United States. It flows for about 167-mile (269 km) (269 kilometers). This river is an important branch, or tributary, of the larger North Platte River.

Where Does the Medicine Bow River Start and End?

The Medicine Bow River begins high up in the Medicine Bow Mountains, specifically in an area called the Snowy Range. It flows out of a place called North Gap Lake, located in southeastern Carbon County, Wyoming.

From its source, the river flows generally north. It passes by the town of Elk Mountain, Wyoming. Then, it turns northeast before heading northwest. The river flows between the Shirley Mountains to the north and the Medicine Bow Mountains to the south.

Near the town of Medicine Bow, Wyoming, the river gets bigger. Two of its largest branches, Rock Creek and the Little Medicine Bow River, join it here. Finally, the Medicine Bow River flows into the Seminoe Reservoir. The last 10 miles (16 km) (16 kilometers) of the river actually form a part of this large reservoir.

How Much Water Flows in the Medicine Bow River?

The amount of water flowing in a river changes throughout the year. This is called its discharge. Rivers usually have more water when snow melts or after heavy rains. They have less water during dry seasons.

Here's a quick look at how much water flows in the Medicine Bow River:

What We Measure When We Measure It How Much Water (cubic feet per second)
Average flow for a year Every year 176 cubic feet per second
Month with the most water June 648 cubic feet per second
Month with the least water January 32.2 cubic feet per second

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Río Medicine Bow para niños

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