Mowich River
| Mowich River South Mowich River | |
|---|---|
The Mowich River is shown highlighted on a map of the Puyallup River watershed | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Pierce |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Mount Rainier |
| • location | South Mowich Glacier |
| • coordinates | 46°52′19″N 121°49′34″W / 46.87194°N 121.82611°W |
| • elevation | 7,000 ft (2,100 m) |
| Mouth | Puyallup River |
• coordinates | 46°54′2″N 122°1′49″W / 46.90056°N 122.03028°W |
• elevation | 1,680 ft (510 m) |
| Length | 30 mi (48 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Rushingwater Creek |
| • right | North Mowich River |
The Mowich River is a river in the U.S. state of Washington. Its watershed drains a portion of the western side of Mount Rainier, part of the Cascade Range. The river has two main headwater branches, the South Mowich River and the North Mowich River. The South Mowich is significantly larger and sometimes considered the main river. The Mowich and its tributaries drain several of Mount Rainier's glaciers. The upper portion of its watershed is contained within Mount Rainier National Park. The river flows into the Puyallup River in the foothills west of Mount Rainier.
The name "Mowich" come from the Chinook Jargon word for "deer". Originally used for Mowich Lake, the name was later applied to the river and the glacier.