Zuni River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zuñi River |
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Location of the mouth of the Zuni River in Arizona
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| Native name | Akwałina |
| Country | United States |
| States | Arizona New Mexico |
| Counties | Apache, AZ (Cibola, McKinley, Valencia) NM |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | confluence of Rio Pescado and Rio Nutria near Black Rock, Zuni Indian Reservation, New Mexico 6,535 ft (1,992 m) 35°06′38″N 108°42′56″W / 35.11056°N 108.71556°W |
| River mouth | Little Colorado River Hunt Valley, Arizona 5,407 ft (1,648 m) 34°38′44″N 109°40′28″W / 34.64556°N 109.67444°W |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 1,300 sq mi (3,400 km2) |
The Zuni River is a river in the southwestern United States. It flows into the Little Colorado River. The Zuni River starts in Cibola County, New Mexico, in the Zuni Mountains. It begins near the Continental Divide, which is a line of high ground that separates rivers flowing to different oceans.
The river flows southwest from the Zuni Mountains. It goes through the Zuni Indian Reservation before joining the Little Colorado River in eastern Arizona. The Zuni River is about 90 miles (145 km) long. Its drainage basin, which is the area of land where water collects and flows into the river, covers about 1,300 square miles (3,367 sq km) in New Mexico.
Contents
The River's Path
The Zuni River begins about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) east-northeast of Black Rock. It forms where two smaller rivers, the Rio Pescado and Rio Nutria, meet.
In 1908, a dam was built at Black Rock. This dam created the Black Rock Reservoir. The river also has a small dam near the Zuni Pueblo.
The Zuni River does not always have water flowing in it. It can dry up during times of drought or often during most of the winter. However, there are some natural springs that keep water flowing for short distances.
Ancient Fossils Found Here
The area around the Zuni River, known as the Zuni Basin, is special for finding fossils. It is home to the Moreno Hill Formation. This is a rock layer where scientists have found fossils from about 92 million years ago.
Some of the amazing dinosaur fossils found here include Zuniceratops and Suskityrannus. Suskityrannus is also known as the Zuni Coelurosaur. These discoveries help us learn about ancient life.
River Life and Environment
The Zuni River is an important home for a special fish called the Zuni bluehead sucker. This fish is one of the last remaining types of its kind. Protecting the river helps to protect this unique fish.
A Sacred River for the Zuni People
The Zuni River is very important and sacred to the Zuni people. Every four years, the Zuni people go on a religious journey. This journey is called the "Barefoot Trail." They travel to a place they call Kołuwala:wa, also known as "Zuni Heaven." This special place is where the Zuni River meets the Little Colorado River.
See also
In Spanish: Río Zuñi para niños
