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Virgin River Virgen River, Rio de la Virgen
Virgin River in Zion National Park
The Virgin River watershed
Location
Country	United States
State	Nevada, Utah, Arizona
Physical characteristics
Source	confluence of East Fork and North Fork
• location	Navajo Reservoir, Dixie National Forest, Utah
• coordinates	37°9′44″N 113°0′51″W / 37.16222°N 113.01417°W / 37.16222; -113.01417
• elevation	3,763 ft (1,147 m)
Mouth	Colorado River
• location	Lake Mead, Lake Mead National Recreation Area
• coordinates	36°8′46″N 114°24′59″W / 36.14611°N 114.41639°W / 36.14611; -114.41639
• elevation	1,204 ft (367 m)
Length	162 mi (261 km)
Basin size	12,250 sq mi (31,700 km)approx.
Discharge
• location	St. George, Utah
• average	183 cu ft/s (5.2 m/s)
• minimum	0 cu ft/s (0 m/s)
• maximum	55,000 cu ft/s (1,600 m/s)
Basin features
River system	North and East Forks Virgin River
Tributaries
• left	Fort Pearce Wash
• right	Ash Creek, Santa Clara River, Beaver Dam Wash, Toquop Wash, Muddy River
National Wild and Scenic River
Type	Wild 145.4 miles (234.0 km) Scenic 11.3 miles (18.2 km) Recreational 12.6 miles (20.3 km)
Designated	March 30, 2009

The Virgin River is a tributary of the Colorado River in the U.S. states of Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. The river is about 162 miles (261 km) long. It was designated Utah's first wild and scenic river in 2009, during the centennial celebration of Zion National Park.

History

The first known Euro-American party to encounter the Virgin was led by Jedediah Smith in 1826. Smith named it "Adams River", after then-president John Quincy Adams. Later explorer and mapmaker John C. Fremont reported that it was called "Rio Virgen" but did not state the origin of the name. Hiram Chittenden speculated that Smith had later renamed the river after Thomas Virgin, who was badly wounded in an 1827 attack by Mohave people during the crossing of the Mojave Desert. Virgin recovered from his wounds but was later killed, along with most of Smith's companions, in an attack by Umpqua people (in present-day Oregon).

The Old Spanish Trail followed the Virgin River for part of its length from near St. George to the point it ascended the Mormon Plateau to cross to the Muddy River in present-day Nevada.

Course

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Its origin is in Southwestern Utah, at the Navajo Reservoir in the Dixie National Forest, north of Zion National Park, and is formed by the confluence of the East Fork Virgin, that flows through Mount Carmel Junction on the east side of Zion National Park and Parunaweap Canyon, with the North Fork Virgin River, that flows from Navajo Lake through Zion Canyon in Zion National Park. The river flows in a southwesterly direction, passing south of the old townsite of St. George where the Fort Pearce Wash and the Santa Clara River both join the Virgin at a place the Paiutes called Tonaquint. The river then flows across the northwestern corner of Arizona through the Virgin River Gorge and past the towns of Beaver Dam and Littlefield. It enters southern Nevada near the town of Mesquite and empties into the Colorado at the Lake Mead reservoir, approximately 40 miles (64 km) east of Las Vegas. The last 30 miles (48 km) of the Virgin River forms the north arm of Lake Mead.

Ecology

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Despite flowing through an arid region, the Virgin River is home to a surprisingly diverse array of plants and animals. Southwestern Utah is located at the intersection of three physiographic regions: the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert. The exceptional landscapes and habitats of this region harbor unique plant and animal communities and species found nowhere else in the world. Without the water of the Virgin River system, these species could not exist. The Virgin River directly supports hundreds of wildlife species, including woundfin, Virgin River chub, Virgin spinedace, flannelmouth sucker, desert sucker, speckled dace, and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. Many of these species are endangered or are considered sensitive species within the State of Utah. The Virgin River Program was established to balance increasing human demand and maintain this unique system.

Woundfin (Plagopterus argentissimus) Federally listed endangered species Size: 4 in (10.2 cm)
One of the rarest species on earth, the endangered woundfin is found only in a small section of the Virgin River. Woundfin have large fins and scale-less, streamlined bodies that help them survive in swift, silty conditions. Although small, it is shark-like in both appearance and action as it feeds on small insects in shallow areas along the river. Woundfin live only one to two years, and their survival depends upon sufficient flow within the river, especially during hot summer months.

Virgin River chub (Gila seminuda) Federally listed endangered species Size: 18 in (46.4 cm)
Rare and beautiful, this fish is the top native predator in the Virgin River. Chub is a fast, streamlined fish with a sloped forehead, humped back, and thin, rounded tail. The Virgin River chub feeds on small fish, insects, and plant matter. Chub prefer deep pools and runs with boulders and debris for cover. Virgin River chub were once an important food source for Native Americans and early pioneers. Listed as an endangered species, the Virgin River chub is found from Pah Tempe Hot Springs down to Halfway Wash, Nevada.

Desert sucker (Catostomus clarkii) State of Utah wildlife species of concern Size: 18 in (46.4 cm)
The desert sucker gets its name from the way it feeds on aquatic vegetation and insects. It uses its thick cartilaginous lips to scrape and suck food from rocks and boulders along the bottom of the river. Desert Suckers are very colorful during the spring spawning season, developing bright orange and black 'racing stripes' along their sides. Desert suckers are considered a sensitive species in Utah, where they are only found in the Virgin River and its tributaries.

Speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus) Size: 4 in (10.2 cm)
One of the most widespread species in western North America, the speckled dace is found in large numbers throughout the Virgin River and its tributaries. Speckled dace prefer rocky areas but are comfortable living in all habitats and stream sizes. Speckled dace exhibit a kaleidoscope of shapes and colors across their range. Males display bright red "lipstick" and red fins to attract mates during the breeding season.

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) Federally listed endangered species
The Willow in the Southwest In thick riparian environments around streams, rivers, and other wetlands, flycatchers can be found. The flycatcher breeds in dense, patchy environments made up of medium-sized to towering trees and shrubs at low elevations. It grows in dense populations of riparian bushes that range in height from low to moderate at higher elevations. In particular, the density of vegetation inside 4 m (13 ft) is significant. It is nearly usually the case that standing or slowly moving water is present in preferred environments. The destruction of riparian habitats has caused a severe decline in the populations of the southwestern willow flycatcher. Currently, this sub-species exists only in fragmented and scattered locations throughout its range. Historically, the breeding range reached from southern California, southern Nevada, southern Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas, southwestern Colorado, and northwestern Mexico. The flycatcher is a migratory bird that winters in Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Currently, the breeding range for the flycatcher is similar to the historic range, though much of the riparian habitat in the southwest has been degraded by agricultural practices, invasion of non-native vegetation and urban development. The Southwestern Willow Flycatcher is an insectivore, taking insects from the air, or picking them from the foliage. The Southwestern Willow Flycatcher is present on breeding grounds by mid-May. By late May, nests are built, usually in a branched tree fork near the water. Typically, three eggs are laid and then incubated for 12–13 days.

Virgin spinedace (Lepidomeda mollispinis mollispinis) State conservation species Size: 5 in (12.7 cm)
The Virgin spinedace looks, feeds, and behaves like a miniature trout. This silvery minnow gets its name from the sharp spiny rays in its dorsal fin. Virgin spinedace are found only in the Virgin River Basin. Unlike the woundfin and chub, which live only in the Virgin River, spinedace are also found throughout many tributary streams. Virgin Spinedace prefer deep pools and runs and are at home in both clear and turbid water.

Flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis) State conservation species Size: 2.13 ft (64.8 cm)
The flannelmouth sucker is the largest native fish in the Virgin River, growing over two feet in length and weighing over six pounds. The flannelmouth's thick fleshy lips contain taste buds that help it find food along the bottom of the River, including aquatic invertebrates, organic debris and algae. Flannelmouth suckers are usually found in deep sandy areas of the Virgin River, but large numbers congregate in shallow gravel areas for spawning in the spring. Water in the river's lower valley provides irrigation for the cultivation of cotton, pomegranates, and figs.

The Nevada river valley's significance is commemorated by Nevada Historical Marker 56.

Virgin River Gorge

The scenic Virgin River Gorge is in northwest Arizona just south of the Utah state line. It is a popular winter rock climbing area noted for its steep and overhanging limestone walls. Interstate 15 follows the Virgin River for several miles through the Virgin River Gorge.

Gallery

• Virgin River
• View of the lower river, between Mesquite and Lake Mead
• Small rock waterfall in the Virgin River's north fork, passing through Zion National Park
• Satellite image of the Virgin River in Zion National Park

See also

• List of rivers of Utah
• List of rivers of Nevada
• List of rivers of Arizona
• List of tributaries of the Colorado River

References

1. Byrd H. Granger (1983). Arizona's Names (X Marks the Place). Tucson, Arizona: The Falconer Publishing Company. p. 652.
2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Virgin River
3. ^ Calculated with Google Maps and Google Earth
4. ^ "USGS Gage #09413500 on the Virgin River near St. George, UT" (PDF). National Water Information System. U.S. Geological Survey. 2010. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
5. "National Wild and Scenic Rivers System". rivers.gov. National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
6. Smith, Jedediah S., , and George R. Brooks (ed.). The Southwest Expedition of Jedediah S. Smith: His Personal Account of the Journey to California, 1826–1827, p. 55. Lincoln and London, University of Nebraska Press, 1989. ISBN 978-0-8032-9197-3

Further reading

• Carlson, D.D. and D.F. Meyer. (1995). Flood on the Virgin River, January 1989, in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada . Salt Lake City: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
• Hereford, R., G. Jacoby, and V.A.S. McCord. (1995). Geomorphic history of the Virgin River in the Zion National Park area, southwest Utah . Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
• Langenheim, V.E. et al. (2000). Geophysical constraints on the Virgin River Depression, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona . Menlo Park, CA: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
• Wilkowske, C.D., V.M. Heilweil, D.E. Wilberg. (1998). Selected hydrologic data for the central Virgin River basin area, Washington and Iron counties, Utah, 1915–97 . Salt Lake City: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.

External links

• Virgin River Program Archived 2011-09-27 at the Wayback Machine

v t e Colorado River system
Jurisdictions	United States Arizona California Colorado Nevada New Mexico Utah Wyoming Mexico Baja California Sonora
Canyons	Byers Canyon Gore Canyon Red Gorge Glenwood Canyon De Beque Canyon Horsethief Canyon Ruby Canyon Westwater Canyon Cataract Canyon Narrow Canyon Glen Canyon Grand Canyon Marble Canyon Granite Gorge Middle Granite Gorge Lower Granite Gorge Grand Wash Canyon Iceberg Canyon Virgin Canyon Boulder Canyon Black Canyon Pyramid Canyon Mohave Canyon
Natural features	River course Rocky Mountains Colorado River Basin Colorado Plateau Grand Lake Horseshoe Bend Sonoran Desert Mojave Desert Lower Colorado River Valley Mohave Valley Parker Valley Palo Verde Valley Colorado Desert Alamo River New River Salton Sea Imperial Valley Delta Montague Island Gulf of California/Sea of Cortez
Tributaries	Blue River Dirty Devil River Dolores River Escalante River Eagle River Fraser River Gila River Green River Gunnison River Kanab Creek Little Colorado River Paria River Roaring Fork River San Juan River Thunder River/Tapeats Creek Virgin River Las Vegas Wash Williams Fork Río Hardy
Engineering	Mainstem dams Shadow Mountain Granby Windy Gap Grand Valley Price-Stubb Glen Canyon Hoover Davis Parker Headgate Rock Palo Verde Imperial Laguna Morelos Major reservoirs Fontenelle Reservoir Flaming Gorge Reservoir Blue Mesa Reservoir Navajo Lake Lake Powell Lake Mead Lake Mohave Lake Havasu Imperial Reservoir Theodore Roosevelt Lake San Carlos Lake Aqueducts and canals Grand Ditch Colorado River Aqueduct San Diego Aqueduct Central Arizona Project All-American Canal Alamo Canal Coachella Canal Water projects Boulder Canyon Project Colorado–Big Thompson Project Colorado River Storage Project Grand Valley AVA Yuma Project
Designated areas	Arches National Park Canyonlands National Park Colorado National Monument Dead Horse Point State Park Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Grand Canyon National Park Lake Mead National Recreation Area Rocky Mountain National Park
Related topics	Arizona v. California Colorado River Board of California Colorado River Compact Floyd Dominy Lee's Ferry International Boundary and Water Commission Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Rapids and features U.S. Bureau of Reclamation William Mulholland

• Tributaries of the Colorado River in Nevada
• Tributaries of the Colorado River in Utah
• Rivers of Arizona
• Rivers of Nevada
• Rivers of Utah
• Zion National Park
• Rivers of Mohave County, Arizona
• Rivers of Clark County, Nevada
• Rivers of Washington County, Utah
• Rivers of Kane County, Utah
• Tributaries of the Colorado River in Arizona
• Tributaries of the Lower Colorado River in Arizona
• Old Spanish Trail (trade route)
• Mormon Road
• National Park Service Wild and Scenic Rivers