West Fork Carson River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Fork Carson River |
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Near Hope Valley
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Map of the Carson River watershed
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Sierra Nevada Alpine County, California 8,404 ft (2,562 m) 38°38′38″N 119°56′14″W / 38.64389°N 119.93722°W |
| River mouth | Carson River Douglas County, Nevada 4,675 ft (1,425 m) 38°59′27″N 119°49′29″W / 38.99083°N 119.82472°W |
| Length | 35 mi (56 km) |
The West Fork Carson River is an important river in the United States. It flows for about 35 miles (56 kilometers) through Alpine County, California, and Douglas County, Nevada. This river is a main branch that helps form the larger Carson River.
Contents
Journey of the West Fork Carson River
The West Fork Carson River takes an interesting path through mountains and valleys. It starts high up and flows down to join another river.
Where the River Starts
This river begins in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. Its journey starts from small bodies of water called Lost Lakes. These lakes are found near a famous spot called Carson Pass. This area is part of the beautiful Mokelumne Wilderness, which is within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The river's source is very high up, at an elevation of about 8,404 feet (2,561 meters).
Flowing Through Valleys and Gorges
From its source, the West Fork Carson River flows north. It soon enters a lovely area known as Hope Valley. Here, a road called SR 88 (also known as the Carson Pass Highway) runs very close to the river. As the river leaves Hope Valley, it turns east. It then travels through a narrow, deep valley, which is called a gorge. After passing through this gorge, the river comes out of the mountains near a town called Woodfords.
Joining the Main Carson River
After leaving the mountains, the river continues to flow north. It enters the Carson Valley in Nevada. This valley is a wide, open area. Finally, near the town of Genoa, the West Fork Carson River meets another river, the East Fork Carson River. When these two rivers join together, they officially form the main Carson River. The spot where they meet is at an elevation of about 4,675 feet (1,425 meters).
