Rapid River (Washington)
Encyclopedia
The Rapid River is a tributary
of the Beckler River
in the U.S. state
of Washington in the United States
. It is 13 miles (21 km) long, with a drainage basin
of 41 square miles (106 km²).
The Rapid River originates at 47°49′19"N 121°7′28"W, at Grouse Lake, many miles east of the Beckler River. The Rapid River flows east, then turns south, southwest and west. It collects a tributary stream flowing from Lake Janus and the west slopes of Jove Peak on the crest of the Cascades. Other tributaries flow from Union Peak
, also on the Cascade crest. The Pacific Crest Trail
follows the crest and parts of the high Rapid River basin. Both Jove and Union peaks are on the high crest of the Cascade Range, separating the Rapid River's drainage basin
from the Little Wenatchee River
drainage to the east. While the waters of the Rapid River ultimately empty into Puget Sound
those of the Little Wenatchee enter the Columbia River
via the Wenatchee River
.
From its source near the crest of the Cascades the Rapid River flows southwest and west, collecting numerous headwater tributaries. One tributary stream joins from the north and two lakes known as Cup Lake and Saucer Lake. The Rapid River makes a northward bend. Near the northernmost part of this bend the North Fork Rapid River joins. The North Fork rises miles to the north, its headwaters flowing from Pear Lake, Peach Lake, and Grass Lake, close to Wenatchee Pass on the Cascade crest. Some of the larger mountains in the Rapid River's basin include Valhalla Mountain, Scrabble Mountain, Scorpion Mountain, Sunrise Mountain, Evergreen Mountain, Grizzly Peak, and Fortune Mountain.
In terms of river size and streamflow, the true source of the South Fork Skykomish River is the Rapid River and Beckler River, even though the South Fork keeps its name above the Beckler confluence.
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Beckler River
Beckler River
The Beckler River is a tributary of the South Fork Skykomish River in the U.S. state of Washington in the United States.The Beckler River originates near Jack Pass and flows southeast about where it is joined by the Rapid River, its principal tributary...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Washington in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is 13 miles (21 km) long, with a drainage basin
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
of 41 square miles (106 km²).
The Rapid River originates at 47°49′19"N 121°7′28"W, at Grouse Lake, many miles east of the Beckler River. The Rapid River flows east, then turns south, southwest and west. It collects a tributary stream flowing from Lake Janus and the west slopes of Jove Peak on the crest of the Cascades. Other tributaries flow from Union Peak
Union Peak
Union Peak is a heavily eroded shield volcano in the Cascade Range of central Oregon, located along the Cascade Crest less than southwest of the rim of Crater Lake. Ice Age glaciers eroded away most of the flanks of the volcano, leaving numerous deep cirques surrounding a central glacial horn...
, also on the Cascade crest. The Pacific Crest Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail is a long-distance mountain hiking and equestrian trail on the Western Seaboard of the United States. The southern terminus is at the California border with Mexico...
follows the crest and parts of the high Rapid River basin. Both Jove and Union peaks are on the high crest of the Cascade Range, separating the Rapid River's drainage basin
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
from the Little Wenatchee River
Little Wenatchee River
The Little Wenatchee River is the southern and smaller of the two rivers that flow into the west end of Lake Wenatchee. The northern and larger one is the White River. A large number of place names in the Little Wenatchee River basin, including the river's name itself, were given by Albert H...
drainage to the east. While the waters of the Rapid River ultimately empty into Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
those of the Little Wenatchee enter the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
via the Wenatchee River
Wenatchee River
The Wenatchee River is a river in the U.S. state of Washington, originating at Lake Wenatchee and flowing southeast for , emptying into the Columbia River immediately north of Wenatchee, Washington...
.
From its source near the crest of the Cascades the Rapid River flows southwest and west, collecting numerous headwater tributaries. One tributary stream joins from the north and two lakes known as Cup Lake and Saucer Lake. The Rapid River makes a northward bend. Near the northernmost part of this bend the North Fork Rapid River joins. The North Fork rises miles to the north, its headwaters flowing from Pear Lake, Peach Lake, and Grass Lake, close to Wenatchee Pass on the Cascade crest. Some of the larger mountains in the Rapid River's basin include Valhalla Mountain, Scrabble Mountain, Scorpion Mountain, Sunrise Mountain, Evergreen Mountain, Grizzly Peak, and Fortune Mountain.
In terms of river size and streamflow, the true source of the South Fork Skykomish River is the Rapid River and Beckler River, even though the South Fork keeps its name above the Beckler confluence.