Shivwits Plateau facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shivwits Plateau
Shivwits Plateau, southeast terminus
Shivwits Plateau Location in Arizona
Length	50 mi (80 km) NW to SE
Width	23 mi (37 km) E-W (at southeast terminus)
Geography
Country	United States
State	Arizona
Region	Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument Grand Canyon
District	Mohave County, Arizona
Communities	Littlefield, Arizona and Peach Springs, Arizona
Borders on	Hurricane Cliffs-E Colorado River and Aubrey Cliffs-E to SE Peach Springs, Arizona-S (Sanup Plateau)-(southwest border) Colorado River and (southwest)- Hualapai Indian Reservation-SW Grand Wash Cliffs-W and NW Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness-WNW Virgin Mountains-NNW Black Rock Mountain & Paiute Wilderness
River	Colorado River

The Shivwits Plateau is a large, flat area of land in northwest Arizona. It's a very important part of the Grand Canyon region. Just like the Kaibab Plateau on the east side of the Grand Canyon, the Shivwits Plateau makes the Colorado River change its path.

The Colorado River flows south along the east side of the plateau. Then, it turns west and northwest before reaching Lake Mead. The southwest part of the plateau is right next to the Colorado River. This area has lower hills and small canyons. It is called the Sanup Plateau. This area borders a part of the Colorado River known as the Lower Granite Gorge.

The Shivwits Plateau gets its name from the Shivwits section of the Paiute Native American tribes. This plateau is also a major part of the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument. It is surrounded by the Lake Mead National Recreation Area to the west. The Hualapai Indian Reservation is to the southeast. The Grand Canyon National Park is to the east.

Geography

The areas to the southwest, south, and southeast of the plateau are part of the Hualapai Indian Reservation. This reservation runs along the Colorado River in a section called the Lower Granite Gorge.

The northern part of the plateau is located within the Grand Canyon National Park. It is also part of the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.

The Hurricane Cliffs are found on the east side of the plateau. The Grand Wash Cliffs are located on the west side. These cliffs are tall, steep rock formations.

This picture from space shows how the Colorado River flows around the Shivwits Plateau. It's about 50 miles from Lake Mead.

Images for kids

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  This image shows the Shivwits Plateau, which is the forested area in the center-left.