Pawnee River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pawnee River |
|
|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Pawnee Fork, Otter River |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| Cities | Ravanna, Burdett, Rozel, Larned |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of several unnamed streams and drainage channels About 30 miles (48 km) of Garden City, in Gray County 2,835 ft (864 m) 37°57′57″N 100°35′55″W / 37.96583°N 100.59861°W |
| River mouth | Arkansas River Larned, Pawnee County 1,985 ft (605 m) 38°10′07″N 99°05′44″W / 38.16861°N 99.09556°W |
| Length | 198 mi (319 km), East-northeast |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Arkansas River basin |
| Basin size | 2,701 sq mi (7,000 km2) |
| Tributaries |
|
The Pawnee River, also known as the Pawnee Fork, flows through western Kansas in the United States. It's about 198 miles (319 km) long. This river is a branch of the Arkansas River, which then joins the huge Mississippi River. The river gets its name from the Pawnee people, a Native American tribe who used to live in the area.
Contents
The Pawnee River: A Kansas Waterway
Where Does the River Start and Go?
The Pawnee River begins in northwestern Gray County. It starts at a height of about 2,835 feet (864 m) above sea level. Its source is a mix of small streams and channels that drain water from farms.
For the first 20 miles (32 km), the river flows straight north. Then, near the town of Ravanna, it turns and heads northeast. The river then curves south. It picks up Buckner Creek, its main branch, near Burdett. After that, it flows east past Rozel. It also passes through the Fort Larned National Historic Site. Finally, it joins the Arkansas River south of Larned.
Water Flow and the Land Around It
The Pawnee River drains a dry farming area. This area covers about 2,700 square miles (7,000 km²) of the Great Plains. Most of the river's water is used by farmers to water their crops. Because of this, the river often dries up for months each year before it reaches the Arkansas River.
History Along the Pawnee River
The land around the Pawnee River was once home to several Native American tribes. These included the Kansa, Cheyenne, Osage, and Pawnee tribes. The river is named after the Pawnee people.
In the 1800s, the Pawnee River was an important route for the Santa Fe Trail. This trail was a busy path for trade and travel across the American West. The river also saw some conflicts between Native Americans and the U.S. military in 1854. After these events, Fort Larned was built on the river. This fort helped the military keep a presence in the region.
