Snake River (Nebraska)
Encyclopedia
The Snake River is a 126 miles (202.8 km) tributary of the Niobrara River
. Entirely located within the Sandhills of north-central Nebraska
, the Snake River rises near the eastern edge of Sheridan County
. It flows eastward into Cherry County
and passes along the southern edge of Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest
. On the southeast edge of the national forest, the river is dammed to form Merritt Reservoir. At this point, the river makes a sharp turn to the north.
Snake River Falls is immediately to the north of Merritt Reservoir; it is the largest waterfall
, as measured by volume, in the state. (Nebraska's highest waterfall is Smith Falls
.) The Snake River joins the Niobrara River about 15 miles (24.1 km) southwest of Valentine, Nebraska
.
Niobrara River
The Niobrara River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately long, running through the U.S. states of Wyoming and Nebraska. The river drains one of the most arid sections of the Great Plains, and has a low flow for a river of its length...
. Entirely located within the Sandhills of north-central Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, the Snake River rises near the eastern edge of Sheridan County
Sheridan County, Nebraska
-History:Sheridan County was formed in 1885. It was named after General Philip H. Sheridan.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,198 people, 2,549 households, and 1,728 families residing in the county. The population density was 2 people per square mile . There were 3,013 housing...
. It flows eastward into Cherry County
Cherry County, Nebraska
Cherry County is unusual in being split between two time zones, Mountain Time and Central Time. The lines between the two runs roughly north to south along the eastern third of the county. Cherry County is also the location of the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, the Fort Niobrara National...
and passes along the southern edge of Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest
Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest
The Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest is located in the north-central Sandhills region of the U.S. state of Nebraska. Created on October 15, 1971 , the forest is named after former Governor Samuel R. McKelvie...
. On the southeast edge of the national forest, the river is dammed to form Merritt Reservoir. At this point, the river makes a sharp turn to the north.
Snake River Falls is immediately to the north of Merritt Reservoir; it is the largest waterfall
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
, as measured by volume, in the state. (Nebraska's highest waterfall is Smith Falls
Smith Falls
Smith Falls, at 63 feet , is the highest waterfall in the state of Nebraska. Located 18 miles east of Valentine, the falls is part of Smith Falls State Park and is adjacent to the Niobrara National Scenic River...
.) The Snake River joins the Niobrara River about 15 miles (24.1 km) southwest of Valentine, Nebraska
Valentine, Nebraska
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,820 people, 1,209 households, and 733 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,401.1 people per square mile . There were 1,373 housing units at an average density of 682.2 per square mile...
.