Gunnison ( Eng. Gunnison River ) - a river in the United States , in the southwestern part of Colorado . The fifth longest tributary of the Colorado River flows into it at an altitude of 1338 meters above sea level [1] . The length is about 290 km [2] ; the basin area is 20 533 km² [3] . The average water flow rate is 72.8 m³ / s.
| Gunnison | |
|---|---|
| English Gunnison river | |
 Gunnison River Basin Scheme | |
| Characteristic | |
| Length | 290 km |
| Pool | 20 533 km² |
| Water consumption | 72.8 m³ / s |
| Watercourse | |
| Source | |
| • Height | 2441 m |
| • Coordinates | |
| Mouth | Colorado |
| • Height | 1338 m |
| • Coordinates | |
| Location | |
| Water system | Colorado → Pacific |
| A country |
|
| Region | Colorado |
 - source  - mouth | |
The river originates in central Colorado, in the eastern part of Gunnison County, by the confluence of the Taylor and East rivers near the town of Almont. The height of the source is 2441 m above sea level. After passing through the city of Gunnison, the river forms a large reservoir, the Blue Mesa, formed by the dam of the same name, whose length is about 58 km. Here the river takes a large tributary of Lake Fork. Immediately below this place, the river forms the Morrow Point Reservoir, and below it, the Crystal Reservoir. All reservoirs are used for electricity production, as well as for domestic and irrigation needs. Below the dam, Crystal Gunnison flows through the deepest part of its canyon. It flows into Colorado near the city of Grand Junction.
In the middle reaches of the river is the Black Gunnison Canyon National Park. Separate sections of the river are completely unsuitable for any type of vessel because of the many rapids and rapid currents. Navigation is dangerous throughout the Gunnison Canyon, which is suitable only for experienced racers.
The first European to see and describe the river was the Spanish explorer Juan Maria Antonio Rivera, who came to the banks of the river in 1761 and in 1765. In 1776, the Sylvester Veles de Escalante visited the river area. The original Spanish name for the river was Rio de San Javier ; Gunnison's Native American name is Tomichi .
Notes
- ↑ Geographic Names Information System, US Geological Survey . geonames.usgs.gov . Date of treatment January 19, 2019.
- ↑ www.encyclopedia.com unopened (inaccessible link - history ) . www.encyclopedia.com .
- ↑ Water Data Report, Colorado 2003 (Link unavailable - history ) . pubs.usgs.gov . Date accessed January 19, 2019 , from Water Resources Data Colorado Water Year 2003 . pubs.usgs.gov . Circulation date January 19, 2019. , USGS .