Colorado River Facts & Worksheets

The Colorado River is fifth longest river in the United States of America that flows through seven states with a length of 1, 450 miles (2, 330 km). It is the major source of water for millions of people in North America. The Colorado River is also home to the Grand Canyon, one of the seven wonders of the world.

See the fact file below for more information on Colorado River, or you can download our 25-page Colorado River worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

COLORADO RIVER 

• The Colorado River is a major river in America that flows for 1, 450 miles (2, 330 km) into the Gulf of California in northwestern Mexico. It is the 5th longest river in the United States and 47th longest river in the world.
• Its average depth is around 20 feet, and its deepest point is 85 feet.
• Colorado River, with its tributaries (a stream that flows into a larger stream or river), pass through and serves the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming along with 30 tribal nations. 
• As a matter of fact, it is considered as the “lifeline of the Southwest”.
• Colorado River encompasses 11 national parks and one of them is the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
• The main channel of the Colorado River runs for approximately 278 miles through Marble Canyon and the Grand Canyon. 
• The Grand Canyon’s rock sequences is built with layers of limestone, sandstone, shale, granite, and schist.
• After the formation of these rocks, the Colorado River began to carve its way, and with the erosions by tributary streams, the canyon widened.
• Scientists have studied rock deposits, and through these, it was determined that the Colorado River must be 5-6 million years.

COLORADO RIVER COMPACT

• Because of California’s growth, Colorado Basin states were anxious about the share of the river and feared that California would claim rights to the Colorado River water.
• On November 9, 1922, delegates from the seven Colorado Basin states met in New Mexico to discuss and implement the Compact.
• On November 24, 1922, the Colorado River Compact was signed at the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe.
• The Colorado River Compact divided the river into two basins: The Upper Basin and the Lower Basin.
• The States in the Upper Basin are Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. 
• The States in the Lower Basin, on the other hand, are Arizona, California, and Nevada.
• The Compact remains a historic achievement as it paved way for the “Law of the River” which holds many compacts, federal laws, court decisions and decrees, contracts and regulatory guidelines that regulate the use of the Colorado River.
• However, the Colorado River Compact was only made official in 1944 when Arizona questioned the Compact because it was not allocating water directly to the states, but instead, to the basins.
• As a result, specific allocations were eventually established. 
• The Lower Basin states were given their annual allocations in 1928 which is part of the Boulder Canyon Project Act. This act also authorized the construction of the Hoover Dam.
• The Upper Basin ratified their annual allocations in 1948 through the Upper Colorado River Basin Compact.

COLORADO RIVER TRIBUTARIES

• The Colorado River Compact also divided the tributaries into Lower and Upper Colorado River Basin.
• The Lower Colorado River Basin is found in all of Arizona, and parts of California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Mexico. 
• This part of the river provides drinking water to millions of people as well as supports recreation and tourism in Grand Canyon. Hence, it has an annual economic impact of $900 million. 
• They provide a habitat to various species.
• The Lower Basin is a home to the endangered species of fish such as Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, humpback chub and bonytail.
• It is also home to several tree species growing in this drought-stressed climate. 
• Sadly, the tributaries of the Lower Basin such as Gila, Salt, and Verde Rivers are considered critical in supplying municipal and agricultural needs as well as sustaining their aquatic ecosystem.
• The Upper Basin, on the other hand, encompasses four states which are Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. 
• The Upper Basin contributes majority of the water. The largest tributary is the Green River which flows out of the Wind River Range. 
• The Green River provides water to irrigate ranch lands, and this results to excellent trout fishing. 
• The Upper Basin is also a home to the longest undammed tributary which is the Gila River. Although the Gila River comes from the Upper Basin (in New Mexico), it flows into the lower state of Arizona. 
• The Gila River provides water to farmers, cities, and Native American Tribes. It also sustains the endangered birds such as Southwestern Western Flycatcher and fish, the Gila Trout, named after it.
• The Upper Basin faces the same threats as the Lower Basin which are brought about by drought, climate, and population growth. 
• Because of these threats, the Upper Basin Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) was developed. This will identify and implement solutions to make the river more sustainable to also take care of the resources that depend on it.

COLORADO RIVER AND ITS RESOURCES

• The Colorado River is known as the hardest working river in the west. 
• It can’t be denied that the Colorado River provides water resources to seven states in the United States that the demands on the water exceeded what it can actually produce. 
• The Colorado River gives a tremendous economic impact as, aside from supplying the states with water to consume, it is home to different natural resources and supports tourism to several Natural Parks like the Grand Canyon.
• The Colorado River is home to fourteen native species of fish. Some of them are endemic and endangered such as the Colorado pikeminnow (formerly Colorado squawfish), razorback sucker, bonytail chub, and humpback chub.
• The Colorado River is also used to irrigate over 3 million acres of farmland.

THREATS ON COLORADO RIVER

• Because the Colorado River is considered as hardest working river in the west, the river is stretched thin. Therefore, it is threatened by human overuse, environmental issues, and poor river management.
• Also, the excessive agricultural use of the river jeopardizes the water quality of the river. This agricultural overdraw in the river is even worsened by the climatic variability as the high temperature and variable precipitation decreases the storage capacity of the river.
• The dams, despite their necessity to generate power, also pose environmental issues. The dams decrease river flow and create a stable temperature of the river at 42 degrees Fahrenheit as opposed to its natural flow and temperature.
• Finally, the ineffective management of the river amid its great demand, has lead to inefficient apportionment and unfair water distribution. 

Colorado River Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Colorado River across 25 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Colorado River, fifth longest river in the United States of America.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Colorado River Facts
2. Colorado River Check
3. Match the River Acts
4. River Profile
5. Colorado River Compact
6. Cross the River
7. Colorado River Threats
8. Colorado River Terms
9. Other Rivers
10. Little Efforts
11. Protect the Colorado River

Frequently Asked Questions

What is unique about the Colorado River?

The beautiful canyons it flows through and the Class IV whitewater rapids are what most people associate with the Colorado River. The magnificent Grand Canyon in Arizona is where the Colorado River passes.

What states depend on the Colorado River?

The Colorado River is a vital resource in the American West. Seven basin states depend on it for water supply, hydropower production, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, and other benefits: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

What are some threats to the Colorado River?

The worsening climate crisis is making the river’s problems worse. Existing threats to the river, such as pumping for agriculture, urban water use, and uranium mining pollution are getting worse.

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