The Wedding Of The Waters: A Historical Union

The phrase wedding of the waters refers to a unique phenomenon where a river changes its name mid-course instead of at its confluence with another river. This term specifically refers to the Wind River in Wyoming, which suddenly and invisibly ends and becomes the Bighorn River, the largest tributary of the Yellowstone. This spot, marked only by a roadside sign, is known as the Wedding of the Waters, symbolising the union of two rivers.

The Wind River and Bighorn River

The Wind River and the Bighorn River are, in fact, the same river. The Wind River begins in the Rocky Mountains near Togwotee Pass and flows southeast, swallowing up numerous tributaries as it passes through the Wind River Indian Reservation and cuts through the Owl Creek Mountains in Wind River Canyon. After 185 miles, the river suddenly and invisibly ends, but the water keeps flowing, widening and slowing. At this point, it becomes the Bighorn River, the largest tributary of the Yellowstone River. This unique transition, where one river ends and another begins, is known as the "Wedding of the Waters".

The Wind River was named by early explorers who found the river south of the Wedding of the Waters site. They called it the Wind River after the Native American name for the valley, "the valley of the warm winds". The Bighorn River, on the other hand, was named in 1805 by fur trader François Larocque, who explored the Yellowstone River and encountered many bighorn sheep along its banks. The upper reaches of the Bighorn River, south of the Owl Creek Mountains, are still referred to as the Wind River.

The Wedding of the Waters is located on the north side of the Wind River Canyon, near the town of Thermopolis, Wyoming. Here, the river widens out, marking the end of the Wind River and the beginning of the Bighorn River. This spot holds a special significance for native Indians, mountain men, and early settlers, and it continues to be a place of interest for those who appreciate its history and natural beauty.

The reason for the river's name change midway through its course remains a puzzle. One theory suggests that the Owl Creek Mountains created a barrier between what people believed to be two distinct rivers. By the time it was realised that it was a single river, both names had already become well-established. While there were suggestions to unify the river's name, it never came to pass, and the river continues to be known by two different names, with the Wedding of the Waters serving as the symbolic union between them.

Boysen Reservoir

The Boysen Reservoir is a popular destination for camping, fishing, boating, and sightseeing. It is located on the Wind River, about 20 miles upstream from Thermopolis, Wyoming. The reservoir was formed by the construction of the Boysen Dam and Power Plant, which was completed in 1952. The dam impounds the waters of the Wind River, providing regulation of streamflows for power generation, irrigation, flood control, sediment retention, fish propagation, and recreation development.

The Boysen Reservoir fishery includes a section of the Wind River from the Boysen Dam through the Wind River Canyon and on into the Big Horn River. The total fishery length is 30 miles. The Wind River is home to a variety of fish species, including Yellowstone cutthroat trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass. The fishing season at Boysen Reservoir is open all year round, and it offers a unique fly-fishing experience.

The Boysen Reservoir can be divided into four segments for fishing:

• Segment One: This segment begins at the Boysen Dam and ends at the start of the Wind River Canyon. It is a walk/wade section with slow-moving but powerful waters. Fish species include brown trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout, with average lengths ranging from 16 to 19 inches.
• Segment Two: The Wind River Canyon, where the water gets moving and the big boulders are present. This section is good for stonefly and streamer fishing. Fish are typically over 20 inches in length.
• Segment Three: From the Wedding of the Waters boat ramp to the Hot Springs State Park boat ramp, this segment has wider channels and slower water. It is great for dry fly fishing and can be fished by walk/wade or drift boat.
• Segment Three: From the Hot Springs State Park boat ramp, about nine miles downstream. The hot springs flowing into the river increase the water temperature, making it ideal for winter fishing. This section is best fished by drift boat as it is mostly private land.

The Boysen Reservoir and the surrounding area offer a unique blend of geography and history, with the Wind River becoming the Big Horn River at the Wedding of the Waters. This spot is significant as it is the only place where a river changes its name midstream instead of at a confluence. The name "Wedding of the Waters" reflects the joining of two rivers, similar to a marriage.

Native American names

The phrase "Wedding of the Waters" refers to a place in Wyoming where the Wind River ends and becomes the Bighorn River. The name "Wedding of the Waters" is likely derived from the rivers' Native American names, assigned long before they were recorded by European explorers. The Wind River is said to originate in the Shoshone National Forest near Togwotee Pass, and it cuts through the Owl Creek Mountains in Wind River Canyon. After 185 miles, the river widens and slows, and it is no longer called the Wind River. This is the Wedding of the Waters, where the river becomes the Bighorn River, the largest tributary of the Yellowstone.

The Wedding of the Waters is a unique phenomenon where a river changes its name midstream rather than at a confluence. This has puzzled people for years, and there is no definitive answer as to why the river has two names. One theory suggests that the Owl Creek Mountains created a barrier, leading people to believe they were two distinct rivers until they were later discovered to be one and the same. By then, both names had already taken root and were hard to change, especially with the official naming of the rivers in the early 1900s.

The Wedding of the Waters holds cultural significance for Native Americans, mountain men, and early settlers. It is a place where the Wind River carves its way through ancient rocks, and the change in the river's name marks a new beginning. The river's warm waters and aquatic vegetation also attract a diverse range of wildlife, including bald eagles, waterfowl, trout, and various mammals such as mule deer and bighorn sheep.

Confluence of rivers

A confluence, or a wedding of waters, is a term used in geography to describe the meeting of two or more bodies of water. This can include the point where a tributary joins a larger river, or where two streams meet to become the source of a river of a new name.

Examples of Confluences

There are many examples of confluences around the world. In Europe, the Rhine River forms a confluence with the Ruhr at the German city of Duisburg, as well as with the Neckar at Mannheim. The Main river also flows into the Rhine at Mainz. The Rhône and Arve Rivers meet in Geneva, Switzerland, where the former has just exited Lake Lehman, and the latter carries water from the Chamonix valley glaciers. In Lyon, France, the Rhône and Saône Rivers meet quietly in the centre of the city.

In Asia, the confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers in Chongqing, China, is a notable example. The clean water of the Jialing meets the brownish-yellow water of the Yangtze, and the latter becomes more powerful as a result. The confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati Rivers in Allahabad, India, is one of the holiest places in Hinduism.

In Africa, the Benue River joins the Niger River in the Lokoja area of West Africa. In Southern Africa, the Chobe River flows into the Zambezi River in Zambia. The White Nile and Blue Nile Rivers meet in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, to form the beginning of the Nile.

In North America, the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers at Cairo, Illinois, is a well-known example. The Ohio River becomes a tributary of the Mississippi just south of the city, with the brown, sediment-laden water of the former distinct from the green, relatively sediment-poor water of the latter. In Canyonlands National Park, Utah, the Green River meets the Colorado River.

In South America, the confluence of the Rio Negro and the Amazon River (also known as the Rio Solimões) in Manaus, Brazil, is a famous tourist attraction. For 6 km, the dark, almost black water of the Rio Negro runs alongside the sandy-coloured water of the Amazon without mixing, due to differences in temperature, speed, and water density.

The Significance of Confluences

Confluences have played and continue to play important roles in society and culture. They have served as religious sites for ritual baths and sacrifices, with temples often built nearby. In Hinduism, for example, the confluence of sacred rivers is considered a pilgrimage site for ritual bathing. Confluences also act as political boundaries between nations, states, or provinces, and are thus significant in a geopolitical context. They are often chosen as sites for prominent public buildings, monuments, and parks, enhancing the beauty and appeal of the surrounding area.

Unique habitat

The Wedding of the Waters is a unique habitat, attracting a variety of wildlife and birds. The river's name change is not the only intriguing aspect of this place; its impact on the surrounding ecosystem is equally fascinating.

The Boysen Reservoir releases warm water into the river, creating an ideal environment for aquatic vegetation to thrive. This, in turn, provides food and attracts a diverse range of animals and birds to the area. Mule deer, whistling marmots, mink, and bald eagles are among the species that call this place home. The bald eagles, in particular, are drawn to the river due to the abundance of trout, including rainbow, cutthroat, and brown varieties. Burbot and mountain whitefish are also found in these waters, making it a popular spot for fishermen.

The unique habitat of the Wedding of the Waters is further enhanced by the presence of insects and other aquatic life that flourish in the warm waters. The fish in the river grow larger and faster due to the abundance of food, making it an ideal location for fishing enthusiasts. The river's accessibility is also noteworthy, with the nation's first handicap-accessible riverine boat ramp providing drift boat access to the Big Horn River.

The history of the river and the compromise that led to its name change add to the allure of this place. The native Indians, mountain men, and early settlers all considered this spot special. The surrounding vegetation and wildlife have also adapted to the unique conditions, creating a habitat unlike any other.

The Wedding of the Waters is a place of natural beauty and intrigue, where the river's name change is just one of the many fascinating aspects that make it a special and unique habitat.

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