Strawberry River (Utah) facts for kids

Map showing the Duchesne River area, with the Strawberry River on the left

The Strawberry River flowing below Soldier Creek Dam

The Strawberry River is a river in eastern Utah, United States. It is about 18 miles (29 km) long. This river is an important part of the local environment and provides water for many uses.

Where the River Starts and Flows

The Strawberry River begins high up in the Wasatch Mountains. These mountains are part of the western Uintah Basin. From its source, the river flows south.

First, it flows into a large body of water called Strawberry Reservoir. This reservoir holds a lot of the river's water. After leaving the reservoir, the river continues its journey through Soldier Creek Dam.

Fishing and Nature

The first 8 miles (13 km) of the river below Soldier Creek Dam are special. This area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It is known as one of Utah's best places for fishing. You can find many brown and cutthroat trout here. It was one of the first rivers in Utah to be called a "Quality Fishing Stream."

You can only reach this part of the river by walking or hiking. There is a trail along the north bank. No cars or other motorized vehicles are allowed. This helps keep the area natural and peaceful.

About 12 miles (19 km) downstream from Soldier Creek Dam, the river flows past the Strawberry Pinnacles. These are tall, interesting rock formations made of sedimentary rock. Here, two smaller streams, Avintaquin Creek and Red Creek, join the Strawberry River. The river then flows through a narrow canyon. This canyon has high, steep cliffs and lots of dense plants and trees.

Reservoirs and End Point

Further along its path, the river is held back again in Starvation Reservoir. This reservoir is inside Starvation State Park. After leaving Starvation Reservoir, the Strawberry River continues flowing. Finally, it joins the Duchesne River east of the town of Duchesne.

River Freezing

Sometimes, during very cold winters, parts of the Strawberry River can freeze solid. When this happens, the ice can block the river's flow. This causes the water to overflow its banks and flood the canyon floor. This kind of flooding happened in 1983 and again in 2000.

Images for kids

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  Strawberry Pinnacles

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  River North of Pinnacles