West Fork Little Thompson River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Fork Little Thompson River |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 40°15′38″N 105°29′47″W / 40.26056°N 105.49639°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with Little Thompson 6,696 ft (2,041 m) 40°17′16″N 105°22′31″W / 40.28778°N 105.37528°W |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Little Thompson Big Thompson South Platte—Platte Missouri—Mississippi |
The West Fork Little Thompson River is a small but important river in northern Colorado. It's like a smaller stream that flows into a larger river. This river is a "tributary" of the Little Thompson River. A tributary is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or river.
About the River
The West Fork Little Thompson River starts high up in the mountains. Its source is in the beautiful Roosevelt National Forest. This forest is a protected area with lots of trees and wildlife. The river begins southwest of two mountains called Twin Sisters Peaks.
Its Journey
From its starting point, the river flows downhill. It travels through the natural landscape of Colorado. The water carves its way through rocks and soil. It collects water from smaller streams along the way.
Where it Ends
The journey of the West Fork Little Thompson River ends when it meets the Little Thompson River. This meeting point is called a "confluence." After joining, their waters flow together as the Little Thompson River.
Part of a Bigger System
The water from the West Fork Little Thompson River travels a very long way. It becomes part of a huge river system that crosses many states.
Flowing to the Ocean
First, the water from the West Fork Little Thompson River joins the Little Thompson River. Then, the Little Thompson River flows into the Big Thompson River. The Big Thompson River then empties into the South Platte River. The South Platte River is a major river in Colorado.
Next, the South Platte River joins the main Platte River. The Platte River then flows into the mighty Missouri River. Finally, the Missouri River flows into the massive Mississippi River. The Mississippi River is one of the longest rivers in the world. It eventually carries all this water all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. So, a drop of water from the West Fork Little Thompson River could end up in the ocean!
