North Fork Big Thompson River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Fork Big Thompson River |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 13,120 ft (4,000 m) 40°29′20″N 105°38′38″W / 40.48889°N 105.64389°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with Big Thompson 6,152 ft (1,875 m) 40°25′57″N 105°20′20″W / 40.43250°N 105.33889°W |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Big Thompson South Platte—Platte Missouri—Mississippi |
The North Fork Big Thompson River is a cool river in Larimer County, Colorado. It's about 22.7 miles (36.5 km) long. This river is a tributary, which means it's a smaller river that flows into a bigger one. The North Fork Big Thompson River joins the Big Thompson River.
Contents
Journey of the North Fork Big Thompson River
Where Does This River Begin?
The North Fork Big Thompson River starts high up in the mountains. Its source is a place called Rowe Glacier. This glacier is found on the north side of Hagues Peak. Hagues Peak is part of the Mummy Range mountains. All of this is located inside the amazing Rocky Mountain National Park. The river begins at a very high elevation of about 13,120 feet (4,000 meters)!
What Does the River Flow Through?
As the river flows downhill, it passes through several interesting spots. It goes through a lake called Lake Dunraven. Then, its waters tumble over a waterfall known as Lost Falls. The river also flows through the small town of Glen Haven.
Where Does the River End?
The journey of the North Fork Big Thompson River ends in a town called Drake. Here, it meets and joins the main Big Thompson River. This meeting point is called a confluence. The elevation at this point is about 6,152 feet (1,875 meters).
The Big River Family
The North Fork Big Thompson River is part of a much larger river system. After it joins the Big Thompson River, those waters flow into the South Platte River. The South Platte River then joins the Platte River. The Platte River eventually flows into the mighty Missouri River. Finally, the Missouri River flows into the huge Mississippi River, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico. So, a drop of water from Rowe Glacier could travel all the way to the ocean!
