Cache la Poudre River

Cache la Poudre River in Poudre Canyon

Poudre Falls in the western part of the Poudre Canyon

The Cache la Poudre River, or simply Poudre River is located in the northern part of the State of Colorado in the United States.

Course

The source region is located in the Front Range mountains in Larimer County, in the northern part of the Rocky Mountain National Park, near the North American Continental Divide. The river runs eastward into the Rocky Mountains and flows through the Roosevelt National Forest and through the Poudre Canyon. Part of the water is to future flood events, while the snow melt behind the Poudre Canyon in the Glade Reservoir northwest of Fort Collins are derived in order to use it for irrigation projects and the supply of the surrounding towns. After the river leaves the canyon, it flows through the city of Fort Collins, crosses the relatively flat landscape to the east until it about 8 kilometers east of Greeley in the South Platte River flows. The river has a length of about 203 kilometers and overcomes a difference in altitude of 1867 meters.

Name

The river's name in French means " hiding place for the powder ." This refers to an incident in the 1820s when French trappers, caught in a heavy snowstorm, a part of their black powder ( Poudre ) on the river hide (cache) had to take it as safe.

Activities

The management of the site rests with the United States Forest Service. In 1986 the river was placed under protection and declared a National Wild and Scenic River. With this measure, this original and scenic river area should be protected from human intervention. The Poudre Canyon in parallel to the river end of the street Poudre Canyon Highway (Colorado State Highway 14) was designated as a National Scenic Byway. The planned railway line here was never finished. The river is a popular destination for anglers, with enough water, it offers the possibility for rafting and kayaking. In the valley of the Cache la Poudre River there are numerous camping and picnic areas, designated trail heads allow the hiking in the area.