Mojave River

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The Mojave River is a river in the Mojave Desert, California.

1 Source
2 Overflow of 1993
3 History
4 References

[edit] Source

Mojave River Dam Outlet

The river's source is in the San Bernardino Mountains near Hesperia. The West Fork of the Mojave flows into Silverwood Lake, formed by Cedar Springs Dam, which overflows in the Mojave River Forks Reserve area. Downstream, Deep Creek meets the West Fork, forming the Mojave River immediately upstream of the Mojave River Dam, which is operated for flood control. Downstream of the dam, the Mojave River flows north and east, underground in most places, through Hesperia, Victorville, and Barstow, ending in at Mojave River Wash at the western edge of Mojave National Preserve. During heavy flows, the river reaches Soda Lake, near Baker and it has reached Silver Lake in historic times. It comes to the surface only in areas with impermeable rock, such as the upper and lower narrows near Victorville.

[edit] Overflow of 1993

On February 22, 1993, during a heavy El Nino in the Mojave Desert, the rains caused the heavy-flowing Mojave River to overflow onto overpassing bridges, the most damaged being on Bear Valley Road, where Victorville and Apple Valley are separated. The flood was so great, the river overflowed. On occasion, nearby Silverwood Lake will release water into the river.^{[citation needed]} Most of these days, the river bed is used for horseback riding.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] History

The Mojave Road followed along the river from Soda Lake to the Cajon Pass. Native Americans used this as a trade route where water could easily be found on the way to and from the coast. Later, the Old Spanish Trail and Salt Lake Trail (Mormon Trail) joined up with the river near where Daggett is today.