New Fork River

The New Fork River is the uppermost major tributary of the Green River in Wyoming, flowing about 70 miles (110 km) entirely within Sublette County. It drains an arid farming region of southwestern Wyoming south of the Wind River Range.

For the ghost town with the same name, see New Fork, Wyoming.
New Fork River
New Fork River and New Fork Lakes at the base of the Wind River Range
Location
CountryUnited States
StateWyoming
Physical characteristics
SourceWind River Range
 • locationLozier Lake, Bridger National Forest
 • coordinates43°11′03″N 109°48′21″W[1]
 • elevation9,850 ft (3,000 m)
MouthGreen River
 • location
About 5.5 mi (8.9 km) east of Big Piney
 • coordinates
42°33′06″N 109°58′15″W[1]
 • elevation
6,788 ft (2,069 m)
Length70 mi (110 km)
Basin size1,230 sq mi (3,200 km2)[2]
Discharge 
 • locationnear Big Piney[2]
 • average712 cu ft/s (20.2 m3/s)[2]
 • minimum90 cu ft/s (2.5 m3/s)
 • maximum9,190 cu ft/s (260 m3/s)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftPole Creek, Boulder Creek, East Fork River

Course

It rises at Lozier Lake in the Wind River Range, nearly 10,000 feet (3,000 m) above sea level, in the Bridger National Forest. Flowing southwest through a steep and narrow glacial canyon, it comes out of the mountains about 10 miles (16 km) north of Cora, briefly widening into the New Fork Lakes. From there it swings south then southeast, past Cora and on to Pinedale, receiving Willow, Pine and Pole Creeks from the left. At Boulder it receives Boulder Creek and turns south again. The East Fork River joins a few miles south of there. From the confluence, the New Fork meanders generally southwest between low bluffs, and joins the Green River about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Big Piney.[3]

Recreation

The New Fork is considered an excellent river for inner-tube floating and canoeing because of its width and strong but not dangerous current. The river and many of its tributaries also have good fishing especially in the upper reaches. However, most of the river course is isolated and aside from the three small towns along its course (Cora, Pinedale and Boulder) there are few significant settlements of any size nearby.[4]

See also

References
  1. "New Fork River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. 1979-06-05. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  2. "USGS Gage #09205000 on the New Fork River near Big Piney, WY: Water-Data Report 2010" (PDF). National Water Information System. U.S. Geological Survey. 1954-present. Retrieved 2011-06-12. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. USGS Topo Maps for United States (Map). Cartography by United States Geological Survey. ACME Mapper. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
  4. "The New Fork River". Mountain Man Country. Retrieved 2011-06-12.
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