Paria River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paria River |
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A backpacker at the confluence of Buckskin Gulch and the Paria River
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| Country | United States |
| State | Utah, Arizona |
| Counties | Garfield, Kane, Coconinon |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Near the Pink Cliffs Tropic, Utah 6,437 ft (1,962 m) 37°39′07″N 112°04′41″W / 37.65194°N 112.07806°W |
| River mouth | Colorado River Lee's Ferry, Arizona 3,084 ft (940 m) 36°51′31″N 111°36′03″W / 36.85861°N 111.60083°W |
| Length | 95 mi (153 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 1,410 sq mi (3,700 km2) |
The Paria River is a river in the United States. It flows for about 95 miles (153 km) through southern Utah and northern Arizona. This river is a branch, or tributary, of the mighty Colorado River.
The Paria River runs through a very dry and rugged area. It carves its way through narrow, deep slot canyons. These canyons are so remote that there are no roads nearby.
Contents
Where the Paria River Flows
The Paria River starts in southern Utah, in Garfield County. It forms when several small streams join together. These streams flow down from the edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The river then flows southeast through Kane County. It also passes through the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument.
Journey to the Colorado River
As the Paria River reaches the Arizona state line, it drops down through the Vermilion Cliffs. This area is known as the Paria Canyon. The river then flows onto the Paria Plateau. Finally, it joins the Colorado River from the northwest. This meeting point is about 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Page, Arizona. It is also near the Glen Canyon Dam.
The last 20 miles (32 km) of the river are part of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. This is a protected area managed by the Bureau of Land Management. If you want to stay overnight in this wilderness, you need a special permit. The Paria River is more like a large creek and is not deep enough for boats.
Water and Salt Levels
Sometimes, water from a nearby irrigation canal, called the Tropic Ditch, seeps into the Paria River. This ditch takes water from the East Fork Sevier River. When the water seeps, it can carry salt into the Paria River. This extra salt can change the natural salt levels of the Paria and Colorado Rivers.
To help fix this, there's a plan to replace part of the ditch with a pipeline. This would stop the seepage and help keep the rivers healthier.
Fun Things to See and Do
The Paria River area is a popular spot for canyoneering. This is an exciting activity where people explore canyons, often by hiking, climbing, and sometimes even swimming.
Exploring Slot Canyons
One of the most famous places here is Buckskin Gulch. It's a side canyon that connects to the Paria River. Buckskin Gulch is thought to be one of the longest and deepest slot canyons in the United States. It's a truly amazing place to explore.
History and Nature
The Paria River area has many important historical and natural sites.
- Lee's Ferry: This historic spot is located near where the Paria River meets the Colorado River. It was once a key crossing point for pioneers.
- Ancient Art: You can find petroglyphs along the Paria River. These are ancient drawings and symbols carved into stone by Native American people long ago.
- Wildlife: The river supports a lively desert riparian habitat. This means it's a green, watery area in the middle of the desert. Many special and rare animals and plants live here.
- Natural Arches: The area is also home to Wrather Arch. This is one of the longest natural arches outside of Utah.
Movie Set History
About a mile south of the river, there was once a ghost town called Pahreah. Near it was the Paria Movie Set. Many famous Western movies were filmed here, like The Outlaw Josey Wales and Sergeants 3.
The old movie set was a popular place for visitors. However, it was damaged by a flash flood in 1998. Volunteers rebuilt the buildings in a new spot. Sadly, these new buildings were destroyed by a fire in 2006.
Images for kids
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A portion of upper Paria Canyon
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Buckskin Gulch
See also
In Spanish: Río Paria para niños
