Parker Valley facts for kids

An aerial view looking south over the Parker Valley. California is on the right (west) and Arizona is on the left (east).

The Parker Valley is a long, flat area found along the lower part of the Colorado River. It stretches across parts of southwestern Arizona and southeastern California. This valley is part of a larger area known as the Lower Colorado River Valley.

Geography of Parker Valley

The Parker Valley is shaped by the mighty Colorado River. Several important rivers and washes flow into the Colorado River within this area. The Bill Williams River and Bouse Wash join the Colorado River in the northern part of the valley. These come from areas to the east. Further downstream, the Tyson Wash crosses a flat area called the La Posa Plain. It also flows into the Colorado River from the east, within the Colorado River Indian Reservation.

Borders and Neighboring Areas

On the California side, the Parker Valley is bordered by the Vidal Valley and the Whipple Mountains to the northwest. To the southwest, it meets the Palo Verde Valley.

On the Arizona side, the Buckskin Mountains are to the north. The Cactus Plain and Dome Rock Mountains border the valley to the east.

Towns and Communities

Several towns and communities are located within the Parker Valley. In Arizona, you'll find Parker and Poston. On the California side, there are Earp and Big River. The valley is also at the northern edge of the Colorado River Indian Reservation. It also marks the northern boundary of the La Posa Plain.

Nature and Habitats

The Parker Valley is home to interesting natural environments. Its habitats are part of two major desert regions. These are the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and the Colorado Desert in California.

Along the Colorado River, you can find special areas called riparian zones. These are green areas right next to the river. They have unique plant life and provide homes for many animals. One type of habitat found here is called a Mesquite Bosque. These are forests mainly made up of mesquite trees. Over time, the river's water has also been used to grow crops. This has changed some of the valley's natural landscape into farmland.

Images for kids

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  This map shows the long Parker Valley (in green) along the Colorado River. It runs north-south on the left side of this Arizona topographic map.

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  This view shows the entire region. The larger valley just south of Parker Valley is the Yuma Valley, where Yuma, Arizona is located. The Yuma Valley merges into the El Centro, California region, south of the Salton Sea.