On the western edge of the state, it is joined by the Boise River. The upper Snake River, above King Hill, Idaho, is used for irrigation and hydropower. The Snake River’s water quality, and the health of fish, animals, and people that rely on the Snake as a water supply, is also degraded by industrial and municipal pollution, toxic waste dumps, and pesticide and fertilizer runoff. The Snake River begins its journey from the western side of the state of Wyoming and flows across the Snake River Plain in the southern part of Idaho. Numerous recreational facilities are located along the Snake’s course, including Hells Canyon National Recreation Area and Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument in southern Idaho. The river then flows along the Oregon-Idaho border before entering the state of Washington and finally pouring its water into the Columbia River at the Tri-Cities. From the northeastern corner of Oregon it forms the Washington-Idaho boundary to Lewiston, Idaho, and then turns west to join the Columbia just south of Pasco, Washington, after a course of 1,040 miles (1,670 km). The Snake river runs more than 1.5 kilometer below the level of the plateau, and compared to the mountains east of the canyon, the depth is almost 2.5 kilometer. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Snake-River, National Park Service - Yellowstone - Snake River, United States, Northwest Power and Conservation Council - Snake River, National Wild and Scenic Rivers System - Snake River, Idaho, Oregon, Snake River - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Fishing the Snake River. Sometimes called the “Niagara of the West,” Shoshone Falls is 65 meters (212 feet) high — 14 m (45 feet) higher than Niagara Falls — and flows over a rim nearly 300 m (1,000 feet) wide. But the Snake River is much more than a working river. While some sections of the river are 10 to 15 feet deep, others can have depths of 100 feet or more. It is the 9th longest river in the United States. Across millennia, its waters have carved deep canyons in the desert basalt, plunging over waterfalls of … That will help build the aquifer back up. The Snake River Range starts at the southern end of the Grand Teton Mountain Range between Jackson Hole Wyoming and Teton Valley Idaho and is part of the Targhee National Forest. The Salmon River, its largest tributary, joins the Snake near the downstream end of the canyon section. Aside from aquatic species, much of the Snake River watershed supports larger animals including the gray wolf, grizzly bear, wolverine, mountain lion, Canada lynx, pronghorn and bighorn sheep. It is not a single homogeneous geologic formation. Category : Clearwater River Fishing Reports, Lewiston Fishing Guides, Salmon Fishing, Snake River Salmon Fishing We have been home from the Oregon coast now for about 10 days and in that time we have spent some great days fishing for Fall Chinook on the Clearwater and Snake Rivers out of … With access to countless holes, streams and the famous Snake River, of course, Jackson Hole is a classic anglers paradise. The Snake River Got It’s Name From a Misinterpretation. The Snake River’s average flow is 1,553 cubic meters (54,830 cubic feet) per second. Over 11,000 years ago, the Snake was a vital source of life for the Native Americans, specifically the Shoshones, that were living along the banks of the river. The range extends northwest to Victor Idaho, west to Swan Valley Idaho and south to Alpine Wyoming. By discharge the largest is the Clearwater River; the second largest is the Salmon River. In Hells Canyon, a cascade of dams produce hydroelectricity from the river’s lofty decrease in elevation over a comparatively small distance. It rises in the mountains of the Continental Divide near the southeastern corner of Yellowstone National Park in northwestern Wyoming and flows through the Snake River Plain of southern Idaho, then through the rugged Hells Canyon area via northeastern Oregon and the rolling Palouse Hills, to reach its mouth near the Washington Tri-Cities area, where it enters the Columbia River. That will stop the decline of the aquifer. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Three federal agencies in charge of managing the operation of dams and protecting salmon from their impacts in the Columbia River Basin have completed a new review of these actions. The snake river's maximum depth is actually about 7900 ft deep because it runs through one of the deepest gorges in the world! The fine-spotted cutthroat trout is the Snake River's claim to fishing fame. The Snake River is 16 feet 4 inches deep. Henrys Fork and Big Wood enter the Snake River from the north. The lower Snake River in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, between Oregon and Idaho. Figure 1. From its headwaters to the beginning of Hells Canyon, many small dams block the Snake to provide irrigation water. Ahead is Snake River Falls as the river finally finds a way to cut through the caprock for good on its own journey to the Niobrara. The Columbia River drops 820 meters (2,690 feet) from source to mouth, while the Snake drops over 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) in elevation over a length more than 320 km (200 miles) shorter. Its drainage basin is the 10th largest among North American rivers, and covers almost 280,000 square kilometers (108,000 square miles) in portions of six U.S. states: Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and Washington, with the largest portion in Idaho. The Snake River is the lifeblood of southern Idaho and a mighty force. Shoshone Falls marks the historical upper limit of fish migration (including salmon) in the Snake River, and was an important fishing and trading place for Native Americans. The state will recharge 250,000 acre feet a year. The Snake River watershed is located north of the Twin Cities in the St. Croix River Basin and encompasses 1,006 square miles in five counties, including Aitkin, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, and Isanti. Unlike the Columbia River, it was far more difficult for steamboats to navigate on the Snake. All reviews snake river green belt nice walk japanese garden walking path both sides farmers market great place to walk evening stroll west side early evening across the street beautiful area in town benches geese falls bike jog walkers broadway downtown. More than 11,000 years ago, prehistoric Native Americans lived along the Snake. The Snake River has over 20 major tributaries, most of which are in the mountainous regions of the basin. The Snake River is the eastern boundary back up to the Tetons. But in fact the name of the river comes from the Snake Indians who once inhabited this land. It’s different in other places, but right here that’s how deep they are. Corrections? And the Snake River and the deep basaltic canyon it carves provide a wealth of outdoor adventures, inspiring vistas, and opportunities for family fun. Canadian explorer David Thompson first recorded the Native American name of the Snake River as Shawpatin when he arrived at its mouth by boat in 1800. Still, from the 1860s to the 1940s, steamboats traveled on the Snake River. They then head out to sea, and after several years return to their natal rivers to spawn, an inland journey of more than 900 miles. Hells Canyon, deep gorge of the Snake River forms part of the boundary between Idaho and Oregon and separates the Seven Devils (Idaho) and Wallowa (Oregon) mountain ranges. The Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer north of the Snake River is a remarkable aquifer of great resource and economic significance. Agricultural runoff from farms and ranches in the Snake River Plain and many other areas has crippled the ecology of the river. The canyon has a total length of 201 kilometers (125 miles), along 64 kilometers (40 miles) of which it is more than 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) deep. And the Grande Ronde is 7 feet 2 inches. These fish were central to the lives of the people along the Snake below Shoshone Falls. Salmon from the Pacific Ocean spawned by the millions in the river. It’s aquifer, the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer, provides drinking water for 300,000 Idahoans. 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