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Popo Agie Watershed: Hydrology
The Popo Agie Watershed contains three main streams that originate from high elevations near the Continental Divide in the distinguished Wind River Mountain Range. These streams are fed by annual snowmelt and seasonal precipitation, and each tiny amount of water flows together to form larger creeks and streams (known as tributaries). The watershed ends near Arapahoe where the Popo Agie River joins the Little Wind River. Many tributaries flow together and eventually become one of the following:
Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River
The Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River is approximately
54 miles long from the headwaters near Bill’s Park to
the confluence with the Little Popo Agie River at the
Town of Hudson. The Middle Fork contains 11,503
irrigated acres and drains nearly 166,120 total acres.
Tributaries include Baldwin Creek, Squaw Creek,
and Sawmill Creek, as well as Frye Lake and Worthen
Meadow Reservoir.
North Fork of the Popo Agie River
The North Fork of the Popo Agie River is approximately 43
miles long from the headwaters near Lonesome Lake to the
confluence with the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River north of
Lander. The North Fork of the Popo Agie River is the southern
boundary of the Wind River Indian Reservation. The North Fork
contains 7,080 irrigated acres and drains nearly 117,600 total acres.
Tributaries include Surrell Creek, Mexican Creek, and Paradise Creek,
as well as Shoshone Lake.
Little Popo Agie River
The Little Popo Agie River boasts the largest drainage area in the
Popo Agie Watershed. The Little Popo Agie River is approximately
58 miles long from the headwaters near Christina Lake to the
confluence with the Popo Agie River in Hudson. It contains
6,662 irrigated acres and drains approximately 238,630 total
acres. Tributaries include Twin Creek, Red Canyon Creek, Beason
Creek, and Willow Creek, as well as Christina Lake.