Solomon River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Solomon River |
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Map of the Smoky Hill drainage basin including the Solomon River
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| Other name(s) | Kiicawiicaku, Mahkineohe, Nepaholla, Rivere de Soucis, Wisgapalla |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kansas |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Smoky Hill River Solomon, Kansas 1,142 ft (348 m) 38°54′13″N 97°22′09″W / 38.90361°N 97.36917°W |
| Length | 184 mi (296 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 6,835 sq mi (17,700 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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| Watersheds | Solomon-Smoky Hill-Kansas-Missouri-Mississippi |
The Solomon River is a river that flows through the middle of the United States. It is about 184 miles (296 km) long. This entire river is located within the state of Kansas.
The Solomon River is a tributary of the Smoky Hill River. A tributary is a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river. So, the Solomon River joins the Smoky Hill River.
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Discovering the Solomon River
The Solomon River starts in western Kansas. It flows generally east through the state. It eventually meets the Smoky Hill River near a town called Solomon, Kansas.
How Big is the River?
The area of land that drains into the Solomon River is called its drainage basin. This basin covers about 6,835 square miles (17,700 km²). That's a very large area!
The river has two main branches that feed into it. These are the North Fork Solomon River and the South Fork Solomon River. These forks help collect water from a wide area.
What's in a Name?
The Solomon River has had several names over time. Many of these names came from different groups of people.
Native American Names
The Native American people had their own name for this river. They called it Nepaholla. This name meant "Water on the Hill."
This name likely referred to a special place called Waconda Spring. This spring was found in the river valley. It was a very important natural feature to the local tribes.
Other Names for the River
Over the years, the river was also known by other names. Some of these include Kiicawiicaku, Mahkineohe, Rivere de Soucis, and Wisgapalla. These names show how different groups interacted with the river.
Where the River Flows
The Solomon River flows through several counties in Kansas. It passes through areas like Mitchell County, Kansas and Dickinson County, Kansas.
Joining Other Rivers
The Solomon River is part of a much larger river system. After it joins the Smoky Hill River, that water flows into the Kansas River.
From the Kansas River, the water then flows into the Missouri River. Finally, the Missouri River joins the mighty Mississippi River. This means water from the Solomon River eventually makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Images for kids
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Map of the Smoky Hill drainage basin including the Solomon River
