San Bernardino River facts for kids
The Rio San Bernardino, also known as the San Bernardino River, starts in the very southeastern part of Cochise County, Arizona. This river then flows into the Bavispe River in Sonora, Mexico.
Where the San Bernardino River Flows
The San Bernardino River has two main smaller rivers that flow into it. These are the Rio de Agua Prieta and the Arroyo Cajón Bonito. The river begins in southeastern Cochise County, Arizona, as a stream called Black Draw.
From Black Draw, the San Bernardino River flows south. It crosses into Mexico, just east of Douglas, Arizona. In northern Sonora, the Cajón Bonito River joins the San Bernardino River. This happens in the San Bernardino Valley. The Cajón Bonito River collects water from the Sierra San Luis and the northern part of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains.
Next, the Agua Prieta River joins the San Bernardino River. The Agua Prieta River also starts in Cochise County. It flows south as Whitewater Draw into Mexico near Douglas and Agua Prieta. The Agua Prieta River flows south and east to meet the San Bernardino River.
Before joining, the Agua Prieta River also meets the Rio Fronteras. The Rio Fronteras flows north from near Nacozari de Garcia, Sonora. Finally, the San Bernardino River flows into the Bavispe River at Morelos, Sonora. This meeting point is at the northern end of the Sierra del Tigre mountains. The Bavispe River then flows south and west to the Yaqui River. The Yaqui River eventually reaches the Gulf of California at Ciudad Obregon, Sonora.
Amazing Animals: Beavers in the River
The San Bernardino River area is home to interesting wildlife. One important animal found here is the North American beaver (Castor canadensis). Experts first noted beavers in northern Mexico in 1977.
A study in 2000 found five groups of beavers raising their young on the Cajón Bonito River. Most of these beavers lived on quiet ranches without many farm animals. Some local ranchers used to remove beavers. They worried that trees cut down by beavers might block roads.
However, beavers are very important for the river's health. They are called "keystone species" and "ecosystem engineers." This means they play a huge role in shaping their environment. Beavers build dams, which raise the water level in the river. This turns parts of streams that dry up sometimes into places that have water all year.
These beaver dams create many good things for the area around the river. They help many different kinds of plants and animals to live and grow there. Beavers were also seen on the Cajón Bonito River in 1978.
