Provo River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Provo River |
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Upper Provo River
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 Location of the mouth of the Provo River in Utah
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| Country | United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Utah, Wasatch, and Summit |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Uinta Mountains near Mount Watson, Summit County, Utah 10,448 ft (3,185 m) 40°41′39″N 110°57′38″W / 40.69417°N 110.96056°W |
| River mouth | Utah Lake Provo, Utah County, Utah 4,485 ft (1,367 m) 40°14′12″N 111°44′20″W / 40.23667°N 111.73889°W |
| Length | 80 miles |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 673 sq mi (1,740 km2) |
The Provo River is a river in Utah, United States. It starts high in the Uinta Mountains at Wall Lake. The river then flows about 71 miles (114 km) southwest. It ends by flowing into Utah Lake near the city of Provo, Utah.
Contents
River's Journey: Where the Provo River Flows
The Provo River has two main parts: the North Fork and the South Fork. Along its path, the river is held back by two large dams. These dams create reservoirs, which are like big lakes.
Upper, Middle, and Lower Sections
The river is divided into three main sections. Each section has its own unique features.
Upper Provo River
The upper part of the Provo River begins in the high Uinta Mountains. This section flows into the Jordanelle Reservoir. A reservoir is a large artificial lake used to store water.
Middle Provo River
Below the Jordanelle Dam, the river becomes the Middle Provo River. This part of the river flows into another reservoir called Deer Creek Reservoir. A stream called Snake Creek joins the Middle Provo River. The Midway Fish Hatchery is located on Snake Creek.
Lower Provo River
The lower section of the Provo River flows out of Deer Creek Reservoir. It then travels through a beautiful area called Provo Canyon. Finally, the river empties into Utah Lake.
History of the Provo River's Name and Use
Long ago, the native Ute people called this river "Timpanoquint." This name meant "water running over rocks." Later, early settlers changed the name to Provo. This new name honored a fur trapper named Etienne Provost. The city of Provo, Utah, is also named after him. The old name, Timpanoquint, was then given to a nearby mountain. Today, that mountain is known as Mount Timpanogos.
Managing the River's Water
In the 1930s, Utah Lake became very small due to dry weather and too much water being used for farming. To help with this, the Provo River Project was started. This project helped manage the river's water better.
Provo River Project Features
The project added important features to the river system. One major addition was the Deer Creek Dam and Reservoir. This reservoir can hold a lot of water. Another feature was the Duchesne Diversion tunnel. This tunnel allows water from the Duchesne River to be sent into the Provo River when needed.
Today, the Provo River Water Users Association takes care of these systems. They make sure the water flows correctly and is used wisely. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) notes that the Provo River was also known as the Tim-pan-o-gos River.
Fun Activities Along the Provo River
The Provo River is a great place for outdoor adventures! Many people enjoy spending time here.
- Fishing: Fishing is very popular along the entire river. You can often catch different types of trout here.
- Running and Biking: The Provo River Parkway is a 15-mile (24 km) trail. It runs along the river from Utah Lake to Vivian Park. This trail is perfect for running and biking.
- Floating: During the summer, floating down the river in inner tubes is a favorite activity. It's a fun way to cool off and enjoy the scenery.
Images for kids
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June Sucker Fish
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