Santa Maria River (Arizona)
Encyclopedia
The Santa Maria River is an intermittent stream located in western Arizona
. It is a primary tributary of the Bill Williams River
and one of the main sources of inflow for Alamo Lake. The river forms a portion of the boundary between Mohave and La Paz counties.
. From the confluence, the river flows in a generally southwesterly direction through the rugged Arrastra Mountain Wilderness
area, (Poachie Range
–Black Mountains). The river accepts a number of smaller, intermittent streams throughout its length.
The river joins the Big Sandy River
to form the Bill Williams River just upstream of Alamo Lake. During periods of heavy rainfall, the lake may extend beyond the confluence point, during which period the Santa Maria empties directly into the lake rather than joining the Big Sandy River.
The total length of the river is approximately 50 miles (80.5 km), 17 miles (27.4 km) of which are considered perennial stream
. The remainder is ephemeral
and runs only during periods of heavy rain.
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. It is a primary tributary of the Bill Williams River
Bill Williams River
The Bill Williams River is a river in western-central Arizona in Mohave County; the river proper is the northern border of La Paz County which it drains in the north, as well as areas of far western Yavapai County...
and one of the main sources of inflow for Alamo Lake. The river forms a portion of the boundary between Mohave and La Paz counties.
Course
The Santa Maria River is formed by the confluence of the Sycamore and Kirkland Creeks, about 10 miles (16.1 km) east of the community of BagdadBagdad, Arizona
Bagdad is a copper mining community and census-designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States, in the western part of the state. It is one of only two remaining company towns in Arizona...
. From the confluence, the river flows in a generally southwesterly direction through the rugged Arrastra Mountain Wilderness
Arrastra Mountain Wilderness
The Arrastra Mountain Wilderness is located in Mohave, Yavapai, and La Paz counties, northwest of Phoenix and southeast of Kingman, Arizona. This sprawling wildland encompasses imposing landscapes and unique natural features. The Poachie Range, which trends northwest-southeast through the...
area, (Poachie Range
Poachie Range
The Poachie Range is a moderate length mountain range and massif in southeast Mohave County, Arizona, and the extreme southwest corner of Yavapai County; the range also abuts the northeast corner of La Paz County...
–Black Mountains). The river accepts a number of smaller, intermittent streams throughout its length.
The river joins the Big Sandy River
Big Sandy River (Arizona)
The Big Sandy River is in northwestern Arizona in Mohave County. It begins where Cottonwood Wash and Trout Creek converge in the Hualapai Indian Reservation near Hualapai Peak then flows past Wikieup south of Kingman. It has a length of and joins the Santa Maria River to form Bill Williams River...
to form the Bill Williams River just upstream of Alamo Lake. During periods of heavy rainfall, the lake may extend beyond the confluence point, during which period the Santa Maria empties directly into the lake rather than joining the Big Sandy River.
The total length of the river is approximately 50 miles (80.5 km), 17 miles (27.4 km) of which are considered perennial stream
Perennial stream
A perennial stream or perennial river is a stream or river that has continuous flow in parts of its bed all year round during years of normal rainfall. "Perennial" streams are contrasted with "intermittent" streams which normally cease flowing for weeks or months each year, and with "ephemeral"...
. The remainder is ephemeral
Ephemeral
Ephemeral things are transitory, existing only briefly. Typically the term is used to describe objects found in nature, although it can describe a wide range of things....
and runs only during periods of heavy rain.