West Fork Mojave River facts for kids

The West Fork Mojave River is a stream that flows into the Mojave River. It's like a smaller arm of the Mojave River, located in the San Bernardino Mountains in San Bernardino County, California. This river is important because it helps form the main Mojave River.

About the West Fork Mojave River

The West Fork Mojave River starts high up in the mountains. Its beginning, called its source, is on the north side of a ridge near Sugarpine Mountain. Here, the land is about 4,960 feet (or 1,512 meters) above sea level.

The river then flows downhill until it meets another stream called Deep Creek. Where these two streams join is called their confluence. This spot is about 2,986 feet (or 910 meters) above sea level. When the West Fork Mojave River and Deep Creek meet, they officially become the start of the larger Mojave River.

How Silverwood Lake Was Formed

The West Fork Mojave River used to have two smaller streams, Sawpit Canyon Creek and the East Fork of West Fork Mojave River, that flowed into it. However, in 1971, a large wall called the Cedar Springs Dam was built across the West Fork.

This dam created a big lake known as Silverwood Lake. Now, Sawpit Canyon Creek and the East Fork of West Fork Mojave River flow into Silverwood Lake instead of directly into the West Fork Mojave River.

A Historic Trail

For a very long time, people have used the path along the Mojave River. The Mohave Trail was an old route that started at the Colorado River. It crossed the Mojave Desert and then followed the Mojave River.

The trail then went up the West Fork Mojave River and into Sawpit Canyon. From there, it climbed over the San Bernardino Mountains near a place called Monument Peak. This trail was a key way for people to travel from the desert to the coastal areas of Southern California.