How long is the platte river in nebraska

Platte River Drainage System. Sandhill Cranes flying over the Platte River in Nebraska. Sunset on the Platte River brings Sandhill Cranes in for their evening roost on the sandbars. Print Friendly. Department of the Interior and the states of Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming are developing a habitat recovery plan for these birds.

To understand the sandbars, scientists need detailed information about the topography of the river bottom. Typically, scientists survey rivers using an echo sounder mounted on a boat. The Platte, however, is too shallow in many regions to use a boat. Measurements have to be made while wading into the river using backpack-mounted GPS equipment.

EAARL bounces a laser off underwater surfaces and measures the return time to determine elevation in the same way that radar measures distance using microwaves. The image shows channels of water as ribbons of color. The present Platte River channel is shown outlined in black. The river flows downhill from west to east, so the west end is higher than the east.

Starting on the east right , blue is the lowest elevation going up to red, 3 meters above that. Then, blue begins to represent 3 meters and red, 6 meters, and so forth. Some fish its banks in waders with fly lines. Others float down the refreshing waters during the summer heat. People walk their dogs or ride bikes down the trails. However, the significance of the river to Casper is beyond measurement. In many ways, the North Platte River is our past, present, and future. Humans have been living off the Platte River for over 11, years.

This is around the time when pottery was discovered and way before Moses was lost in the desert. It is the 23rd longest river in the United States. If you stretched that distance out, it is nearly as far as Casper is to Las Vegas. Before bridges were built, travelers would have to swim across with their livestock.