Colorado River

Colorado River (1) rises in the Rocky Mountains, and after a course of about 2,000 miles falls into the Gulf of California. The main stream - the Green river - rises in Wyoming, and after receiving the Bear and White rivers is joined about 150 miles from its source by the Grand river. The next important tributary is the Little Colorado from New Mexico, after receiving which the river turns west through the Colorado plateau. It then turns south and receives the Gila, Arizona city being situate at the junction. A few miles below this it reaches the sea. The Colorado is remarkable for its canons, one - the Grand Canon - having a length of 200 miles, with cliffs varying from 4,000 to 7,000 feet in height, and the Black Canon, farther down, having a length of 25 miles, with an average height of 12,000 feet. The river was discovered by Fernando Alascon in 1540, but has only lately been fully explored. It is navigable for steamers to 600 miles above the mouth. (2) One of the largest rivers of Texas, with a course of 900 miles and having the capita], Austin, on its left bank. Owing to sandbars at the mouth of the river there is very little navigation.