Yellowstone River Facts & Worksheets

The Yellowstone River is officially recognized as a blue ribbon stream due to its high quality for trout fishing. The Yellowstone River travels through three different states on its way to the Pacific Ocean. It starts in Wyoming’s northwest, runs across sunny Montana, and finally empties into dusty North Dakota. About 70,000 square kilometers are drained by the river basin.

See the fact file below for more information about the Yellowstone River, or you can download our 24-page Yellowstone River worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

• In 1806, on the way back from the Pacific Northwest, Lieut. William Clark led a company that sailed down the Yellowstone River.
• Lieut. William Clark and his company were the first Europeans to set foot in the region. Trading on the Yellowstone began in 1807 at the mouth of the Bighorn River, when fur trader Manuel Lisa arrived with trapper and explorer John Colter (the first person of European heritage to visit the Yellowstone Park area and view its geysers). During the 1860s and 1970s, this area was the epicenter of fighting between Native Americans and the United States government. 

LOCATION AND RANGE

• The Yellowstone River is untamed in the western United States’ rugged foothills and grassland plains. It crosses waterfalls, grass meadows, rocky canyons, and hillsides.
• The Yellowstone River, the Missouri River’s main tributary, is vital to Midwest ecology. Since it supports many endemic and non-native flora and animals, it deserves protection. 
• Like other rivers, the Yellowstone is generated from multiple smaller creeks. Although they change, these waterways generally follow the same path. Unregulated rivers can flood frequently and affect the terrain. The Yellowstone River starts in northeastern Wyoming. 
• The river originates in southeastern Park County’s Absaroka Range, Rocky Mountain foothills. The North Fork from Younts Peak and the South Fork from Thorofare Mountain’s southern slopes form the Yellowstone River—the Yellowstone River forms when the forks meet on Younts Peak’s western slopes.
• Yellowstone River travels through three states from start to finish. It flows from northwestern Wyoming to southern and eastern Montana to western North Dakota. The most extended section of the river flows through various Montana cities on its northward trip. The river passes through Billings, Glendive, Miles City, Livingston, and Sidney.
• The Yellowstone River flows northeast from Wyoming into Montana. After several hundred miles, it passes Montana-North Dakota and heads north. The mouth of the Yellowstone River meets the Missouri River a few kilometers after entering North Dakota. 
• The Yellowstone River flows north through Yellowstone National Park. It flows into Yellowstone Lake and the Grand Canyon through Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls. The river heads north and east for lower ground. 
• The rivers meet near Buford, 25 miles west of Williston, North Dakota. Fort Buford, an Army post near the Yellowstone-Missouri River confluence, gave the town its name. The Missouri and Yellowstone rivers merge east and south from there. At St. Louis, Missouri, the Missouri and Mississippi rivers meet and run south to the Gulf of Mexico in southern Louisiana.

SIZE

• Approximately 692 miles is the whole length of the Yellowstone River. The river flows through three states before joining the Missouri River. Even yet, the Yellowstone River continues its journey southward into the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, the Yellowstone River flows through areas of varying altitude. 
• The source region is located at an elevation of almost 12,800 feet above sea level. A difference of nearly 11,000 feet separates the confluence of the Missouri River from sea level, which is only 1,850 feet. Furthermore, the Yellowstone River watershed encompasses 37,167 square miles, including parts of western North Dakota, southern and eastern Montana, and northern Wyoming. 

WILDLIFE

• More than two hundred animal species make their home in the Yellowstone River. Bald eagles, grizzly bears, bison, wolves, elk, and elk are some species that fall under this category.
• The Yellowstone River is also home to 300 different kinds of birds, 16 other fish, six various reptiles, and four different amphibians. That’s an extensive ecosystem teeming with all sorts of animals.
• Some further local animals include the following.
• Bison – The number of American bison ranges from roughly 2,300 to 5,500.
• Bears – Yellowstone is also home to two types of bears—the grizzly and the black.
• Sheep – Bighorn sheep usually occupy the pathways through the more challenging parts. About 500 of these species can be found in Yellowstone.
• Wild cats – Two types of wildcats live in this area: bobcats and lynx.
• Coyotes – In the United States, Yellowstone is home to one of the largest populations of coyotes, the coywolf.

IMPORTANCE

• The Missouri River is a vital waterway for the United States, and the Yellowstone River is its primary tributary. The river’s significance, however, goes well beyond that of a tributary. Native American communities flourished along the Yellowstone River for hundreds of years. Southern and eastern Montana were summer hunting areas for the Cheyenne, Crow, Cree, and Lakota Sioux. 
• The river also played a crucial role in transporting people who came to the site to farm, fish, trap, and hunt for gold. Early settlers used rivers to bring supplies from the east and move commodities to the new frontier. Today, the Yellowstone River is home to various flora and fauna. The river is renowned as a prime destination for anglers seeking rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout, among other species. The pallid sturgeon is one of the rare endemic species that can be found in its waters. The importance of the Yellowstone River to the region’s biological health is further highlighted by the fact that many birds and mammals rely on it for sustenance. 

THREATS

• The river’s natural beauty is threatened by pollution, habitat modification, and invasive species, among other problems. Conservation activities are now in progress to ensure its continued ecological viability.
• The river’s volume and flow can be affected by uncommon and relatively benign events like floods and droughts. Human activities pose the greatest danger to the Yellowstone River. 
• There have been multiple oil spills in the river, the most recent in 2015. About 63,000 gallons of oil were released into the river after the ExxonMobil oil disaster in 2011. Worse still, the oil leak in 2015 is estimated to have released roughly 190,000 gallons into the river. Because of these leaks, sections of the river had to be stopped periodically, devastatingly affecting the locals and their wildlife. The river was closed multiple times when fish populations crashed due to epidemics. 

Yellowstone River Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Yellowstone River across 24 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Yellowstone River. The Yellowstone River travels through three different states on its way to the Pacific Ocean. It starts in Wyoming’s northwest, runs across sunny Montana, and finally empties into dusty North Dakota. About 70,000 square kilometers are drained by the river basin.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

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

1. Yellowstone River Facts
2. Know The Flow
3. Fauna Around
4. Analogy
5. Would You Rather?
6. Protect And Conserve
7. Personalities
8. Facts
9. Current News
10. Take A Journey
11. Lyric Making

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Yellowstone River located?

The Yellowstone River is primarily located in the United States. It flows through the states of Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota.

What is the length of the Yellowstone River?

The Yellowstone River is approximately 692 miles (1,114 kilometers) long, making it the longest undammed river in the contiguous United States.

What is the significance of Yellowstone River in the Yellowstone National Park ecosystem?

The Yellowstone River is a crucial part of the Yellowstone National Park ecosystem. It provides habitat for various species of fish, including the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The river also supports diverse wildlife and is essential for the park’s overall ecological balance.

Are there any notable landmarks or features along the Yellowstone River?

One of the most famous landmarks along the Yellowstone River is the Yellowstone Falls, located in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone within Yellowstone National Park. The falls are a spectacular sight and a popular attraction for visitors.

How has human activity impacted the Yellowstone River?

Human activities, such as agriculture, urban development, and mining, have had both positive and negative impacts on the Yellowstone River. While these activities have led to habitat alteration and water pollution in some areas, conservation efforts and regulations have also been implemented to protect and preserve the river’s ecosystem.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

<a href="https://kidskonnect.com/geography/yellowstone-river/">Yellowstone River Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com</a> - KidsKonnect, February 14, 2024

Link will appear as Yellowstone River Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, February 14, 2024