Snake River (Nebraska) facts for kids
The Snake River is a cool river in Nebraska, about 126 miles (203 km) long. It's a "tributary," which means it flows into a bigger river called the Niobrara River. The Snake River is completely inside the Sandhills region of north-central Nebraska.
Where the Snake River Flows
The Snake River starts near the eastern edge of Sheridan County. It flows east into Cherry County. The river then passes along the southern edge of the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest.
At the southeast part of the national forest, a dam holds back the river's water. This creates a large lake called Merritt Reservoir. After the reservoir, the river makes a sharp turn and flows north.
Near a place called Burge, the Snake River usually carries about 158 cubic feet (4.5 cubic meters) of water every second. This is like the amount of water in a small swimming pool flowing by each second!
Snake River Falls
Just north of Merritt Reservoir, you'll find Snake River Falls. This is the largest waterfall in Nebraska when you measure how much water flows over it. While it's the biggest by water volume, Nebraska's tallest waterfall is actually Smith Falls.
The Snake River eventually joins the Niobrara River. This meeting point is about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Valentine, Nebraska.
