Firehole River

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
Firehole River steaming in the winter air.
Firehole River steaming in the winter air.
Heavy runoff from Excelsior Geyser to Firehole River
Heavy runoff from Excelsior Geyser to Firehole River
Fountain Flats on The Firehole in September
Fountain Flats on The Firehole in September

Firehole River is a river that flows through several geyser basins in Yellowstone National Park.

The Firehole River's headwaters are south of Old Faithful Geyser and flow north to join the Gibbon River at Madison Junction forming the Madison River, eventually joining the Missouri River.[1] The river was named by early trappers for the steam that makes it appear to be smoking as if on fire.[2]

The river is surrounded by geothermal features which empty water into it. One effect of the input of this water is to increase the temperature of the water. Temperatures in the river have been measured as high as 86°F (30°C) and average 41-50°F (5-10°C) higher that areas upstream of geothermal influence.[3]

Firehole River as the sun sets.
Firehole River as the sun sets.

Water entering the river from geothermal features contains dissolved chemicals and minerals. Levels of boron and arsenic have been found to above the standard limits for protection of aquatic organisms. Despite these levels, rainbow trout live and spawn in these waters.[4]

Firehole River is known for its fly fishing, offering anglers the chance to catch brown, rainbow, and brook trout.[5]

The River is also home to an invasive species, the New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum), that is being heavily studied to determine its impact on the river's ecosystem.[6]

[edit] References

  1. ↑  Natural Highlights of the Madison Area. Yellowstone National Park. Retrieved on 2005-09-16.
  2. ↑  Firehole River. Yellowstone National Park. Retrieved on 2005-09-16.
  3. ↑  Goldstein JN, Hubert WA, Woodward DF, Farag AM, Meyer JS (2001). "Naturalized salmonid populations occur in the presence of elevated trace element concentrations and temperatures in the Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA.". Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 20 (10): 2342-52. PMID 11596769. 
  4. ↑  Ibid.
  5. ↑  Natural Highlights of the Old Faithful Area. Yellowstone National Park. Retrieved on 2005-09-16.
  6. ↑  Exotic Species. Yellowstone National Park Investigators' Annual Report 2001. Retrieved on 2005-09-16. - PDF

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../f/i/r/Firehole_River_ad06.html"