- Carson River
The Carson River, named after explorer
Kit Carson , is a river in northernCalifornia and northwesternNevada in theUnited States , approximately 150 mi (241 km) long. It originates in the Sierra Nevada mountains inCalifornia , fed by melted snow, and flows generally northeast into Nevada, emptying into the enclosedCarson Sink .It rises in two forks in the Sierras of northern California. The East Fork rises in southern Alpine County, southeast of Markleeville in the
Carson-Iceberg Wilderness . It flows northeast then north into Nevada. The West Fork rises in California Sierras nearCarson Pass and flows northeast into Nevada, joining the East Fork near Minden. The combined river flows north, passing through Carson City, then generally northeast past across Lyon County, past Dayton. In eastern Churchill County it is impounded by theLahontan Dam to form the Lake Lahontan reservoir forirrigation andhydroelectricity . Downstream from the dam the river flow east past Fallon, then northeast into the Carson Sink.Archaeological finds place the eastern border for the prehistoric
Martis people in theReno /Carson River area.In the 1850s and 1860s, the river was used as the route of the
Carson Trail , a branch of theCalifornia Trail that allowed access to the California gold fields, as well as by thePony Express . In the early 20th century, theNewlands project was formed to bring irrigation water into the region for agriculture. The Lahontan Dam was constructed as part of the ongoing project. TheTruckee-Carson Irrigation District was formed in 1918 as part of the project to divert water from theTruckee River to the Carson Valley for agricultural use.Recreation
The East Fork Carson River is a popular recreation spot for
fishing , river rafting,mountain biking ,off-roading ,hunting , and horse-back riding. Development along the river in Douglas, Carson City, and Lyon counties has limited public access in some areas.ee also
*
List of California rivers
*List of Nevada rivers
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