Humboldt River
| Humboldt River | |
|---|---|
The Humboldt River, flowing through Carlin Canyon | |
Map of the Humboldt River watershed | |
| Etymology | Alexander von Humboldt |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Humboldt Wells |
| • location | East Humboldt Range, Elko County, Nevada |
| • coordinates | 41°7′13″N 114°58′5″W / 41.12028°N 114.96806°W |
| • elevation | 5,620 ft (1,710 m) |
| Mouth | Humboldt Sink |
• location | Churchill County, Nevada |
• coordinates | 39°59′17″N 118°36′4″W / 39.98806°N 118.60111°W |
• elevation | 3,894 ft (1,187 m) |
| Length | 290 mi (470 km) |
| Basin size | 16,680 sq mi (43,200 km2) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 390 cu ft/s (11 m3/s) |
| • minimum | 0 cu ft/s (0 m3/s) |
| • maximum | 17,000 cu ft/s (480 m3/s) |
| Reference no. | 22 |
The Humboldt River is the longest river in the northern and central part of Nevada. It extends in a general east-to-west direction from its headwaters in northern Nevada's Jarbidge, Independence, and Ruby Mountains in Elko County to its terminus in the Humboldt Sink, approximately 225 miles (362 km) away in northwest Churchill County.
Most estimates put the Humboldt River at 300 to 330 miles (480 to 530 km) long; however, due to the extensive meandering nature of the river, its length may be more closely estimated at 380 miles (610 km).
The Humboldt is the third-longest river within the Great Basin watershed, behind the Bear River at 355 miles (571 km) and the Sevier River at 325 miles (523 km). The Humboldt River Basin is the largest sub-basin of the Great Basin, encompassing an area of 16,840 square miles (43,600 km2). It is the only major river system wholly contained within the state of Nevada.
It is the only natural transportation artery across the Great Basin and has historically provided a route for westward migration. Additionally, two major railroad routes loosely follow its path. Interstate 80 follows the river's course from its source to its mouth.
The river was named by John C. Frémont for the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt.