Palmer Divide facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Palmer Divide |
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|---|---|
| Location | Central Colorado |
| Elevation | 6,000 feet (1,829 m) |
| Highest point – elevation |
Bald Mountain 7,887 feet (2,404 m) |
| Length | 80 miles |
The Palmer Divide is a special ridge of land in central Colorado. It's named after William Jackson Palmer, who founded Colorado Springs. This ridge acts like a natural wall. It separates the water flowing into the Arkansas River from the water flowing into the South Platte River. The divide stretches about 80 miles (129 km) from the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. It goes eastward towards the town of Limon.
The western part of the Palmer Divide is often thought to start near Palmer Lake. This lake is located south of Denver and north of Colorado Springs. However, the actual divide between the two river basins goes further west. It then turns north to meet the Continental Divide at McNamee Peak.
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Geography and Elevation
The Palmer Divide runs roughly along the northern border of El Paso County. Because of this, it forms a natural barrier between the Denver and Colorado Springs areas. The land along the divide is quite high. Its elevation changes from about 6,000 feet (1,829 m) to 7,887 feet (2,404 m).
Bald Mountain: The Highest Point
The highest point on the Palmer Divide is Bald Mountain. This peak is located in southern Douglas County. You can often see Bald Mountain from I-25. It's just northeast of Monument Hill.
Weather Patterns and Climate
This raised area causes a small increase in precipitation (rain and snow) compared to other parts of eastern Colorado. This extra moisture helps create the Black Forest. The Black Forest is like a green island of trees surrounded by drier grassland plains.
Tornado Activity
The Palmer Divide also plays a role in local weather. It can lead to more landspout and tornado activity. This often happens to the east of Denver, in a special area called the Denver convergence vorticity zone (DCVZ).
Local Weather Differences
This land feature creates several small-scale weather patterns. These patterns can cause big differences in the weather between Denver and Colorado Springs. Even though its elevation is similar to foothills, the Palmer Divide doesn't run parallel to a mountain chain. Instead, it goes across the main mountain range. This unique direction means its weather can be like that of the foothills. It often gets more precipitation, especially during snowstorms.
Communities Near the Divide
Many cities and towns are located near the Palmer Divide. These communities benefit from its unique geography and weather patterns.
