White River (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White River |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Central Valley |
| Cities | White River, Ducor, Delano |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Bull Run Peak Tulare County 6,800 ft (2,100 m) 45°50′17″N 118°35′02″W / 45.83806°N 118.58389°W |
| River mouth | Tulare Lakebed near Delano, Tulare County 272 ft (83 m) 35°51′06″N 119°17′16″W / 35.85167°N 119.28778°W |
| Length | 50.7 mi (81.6 km) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Tulare Basin |
| Basin size | 176 sq mi (460 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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The White River is a small but important river in the state of California, United States. It flows through the southern part of the San Joaquin Valley. This river is about 50.7 miles (81.6 km) long. It stays entirely within Tulare County.
Contents
Where the White River Starts
The White River begins high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It starts at about 6,800 feet (2,100 m) above sea level. This starting point is on the northwest side of a place called Bull Run Peak.
The River's Journey
From its source, the White River flows west. As it travels, it collects water from several smaller streams. These streams are called tributaries. Some of them include Arrastre Creek, Coarse Gold Creek, and Coho Creek. The river also passes by a small town named White River.
Disappearing Water
As the White River gets closer to the border between Tulare County and Kern County, something interesting happens. The water on the surface of the river disappears. This means the riverbed becomes dry.
River's Path and Use
Even when dry, the riverbed continues to flow northwest. It goes into the San Joaquin Valley, which is a big farming area. Here, the river's path is used in a special way. Its water is sent into canals. These canals help control floods. They also provide water for irrigation, which means watering crops.
Where the River Ends
The White River finally ends about 5 miles (8.0 km) north of Delano. It stops just before reaching the historic Tulare Lake. This lake used to be much larger.
