On the River: The Green River: Prairie Hen River

(Section "A" down river from Flaming Gorge Reservoir)

The Green River was known to the Shoshone Indians as the Seeds-kee-dee-Agie, or Prairie Hen River. This name, in one version or another, was later adopted and widely used by the mountain men. Dominguez and Escalante named the Green the Rio de San Buenaventura, but the river was known by later Spaniard and Mexican explorers as the Rio Verde, or Green River. This connection with the Spanish led to the Green being known for a time as the Spanish River, but by the time Ashley floated the Green in 1825, the name "Green River" was in common use. Accounts vary as to why the river is called the Green. One has it that it is because of the color of the water; another that it is named for a member of Ashley's original party of mountain men. John C. Fremont thought that the name came from the vegetation along the banks. No one account is authoritative.

(http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/the_land/greenriver.html)

Artist Bruce Cheever

Early Europeans leaving their mark.

I kinda liked "Prairie Hen River". I imagine the names of rivers and other landmarks have changed throughout millennia of time. This pristine western United States landscaped river is not to be confused with the Green River in Kentucky or Oregon. Rather, This river joins the Colorado River at a place south of Moab Utah.

To put things into perspective, hear are the longest rivers in the good ol USA:

1. Missouri River 2,540 miles

2. Mississippi River 2,340 miles

3. Yukon River 1,980 miles

4. Rio Grande 1,900 miles

5. St. Lawrence River 1,900 miles

6. Arkansas River 1,460 miles

7. Colorado River 1,450 miles

8. Atchafalaya River 1,420 miles

9. Ohio River 1,310 miles

10. Red River 1,220 miles

I suppose if we kept going the Green would eventually make the list at 730 miles. The Green River is to the Colorado River what the Missouri River is to the Mississippi River.

Here is an interesting thought regarding river designation or naming of a river. Let's suppose that when the Shoshone named the Seeds-kee-dee-adie (Prairie Hen River) there intention was naming the river that goes all the way to the Sea of Cortez in current day Mexico. Now we have a river that is higher on our top ten list. Maybe third or fourth. It was modern day Americans that decided that the Prairie Hen River would end at the confluence of the Green and the Colorado. Essentially it is the same river depending on who is naming it.

How powerful is a name?

See the confluence of the Green and the Colorado. is it true?

Or is it more like this?

Tough call. I have kayaked both rivers.

The confluence of the Green river and the Colorado River

I like the Idea of a Prairie Hen River.

If you do not know what a Prairie Hen is, let's just say that it is bigger than your every day chicken. Known by Lewis and Clark as "the cock of the plains".

Picture by Dave Showalter

Where the Prairie hen and the Antelope play.

(https://defendersblog.org/2014/07/saving-sage-grouse-core-problem)

The Prairie Hen River, if you are following, now goes through two countries, supports giant mackinaw trout and Kokanee salmon fisheries like Flaming Gorge, includes world famous rapids like the "Gates of Ladore" and "Cataract Canyon" and powers Las Vegas.

As a Kayak tour we are talking outlaw hideouts and beautiful western United States coyote howling open range campsites, with, full on star gazing displays of magnificent life questioning campfire evenings. (whew!)

This is a great photo by Wayne Pinkston. Floating on the Prairie Hen River and floating on the edge of the Milky Way blows my mind.

Here is a documentary of two adventurous souls, Will and Zak, navigating the Prairie Hen River:

In hindsight I would have stopped before Mexico.

Here is a video of what is called section A and B after the Flaming Gorge Dam. This is a fun kayak trip but not with younglings and the dam fully open like it is here. We changed to rafts do to river conditions. The water comes from the bottom of the dam and is very cold. This is also one of the best trout fisheries in Utah. On this section you will see lots of riverboats with fly fishing enthusiasts.

Video: