Why do they call it the Salt River?

The Salt's headwaters tributaries, the Black River and East Fork, increase the river's total length to about 300 miles (480 km). The name Salt River comes from the fact that the river flows over large salt deposits shortly after the merging of the White and Black Rivers.



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Lower Salt River: A surprisingly short drive from downtown Phoenix reaches the Salt River, where runoff from the distant mountains waters the desert. Here you can swim, float, and paddle among huge cacti, towering cliffs, and a herd of wild horses.

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You can swim in the Salt River, but be aware that the water is not as clean as your typical swimming pool because of all the folks and animals who use the river daily.

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Salty water is denser than regular water, and it is analogous to that of the human body in Great Salt Lake. As a result, going underwater is tough (basically sink in water).

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The river was used for irrigation by the pre-Columbian Hohokam culture, by later Native Americans, and by early Euro-American settlers in the 19th century. It currently provides a major source of irrigation and drinking water for Phoenix and surrounding communities through the Salt River Project.

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You can spot the wild horses throughout the 18-mile stretch of the Lower Salt River that encompasses the six recreation areas, but historically, the horses are most commonly seen at spots close to Saguaro Lake, including Phon D. Sutton Recreation Area, Granite Reef Recreation Area and Coon Bluff Recreation Area.

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Yes, you can bring your own tube to float the Salt River. You will just need to have a vehicle at both the top and bottom launch sites. Is Salt River Tubing OK for kids?

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Central Arizona's water supply comes from three main sources — the Colorado River, the Salt and Verde River systems, and groundwater.

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Marshmallows get very sticky when wet, making them the perfect ammunition to lob at other tubers for some lighthearted fun. They also float, so you can pick up discarded ammo and reuse it as you travel down the river.

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A) The Great Salt Lake is so salty that the only living things in the lake are algae, bacteria, brine shrimp and brine flies. B) Algae is a very small plant and that is the diet of the brine shrimp and brine fly.

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The state of Utah owns basically most of the Great Salt Lake, including Antelope Island, Fremont Island, Gunnison Island, the Ogden and Farmington bay wetland areas, along with the entire lakebed.

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Reality check: While the lake won't poison you, the salt can cause problems if you're not careful. Cuts and sensitive skin can sting at first. I've seen children crying at the marina hose as their hapless parents spray fresh water into their swimsuits. The sting usually stops after a minute or two in the lake, though.

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