A continental divide is a boundary that separates a continent’s river systems . Each river system feeds into a distinct ocean, bay, or sea. The Loveland Pass, pictured here, is a continental divide in Colorado that separates water flowing into the Atlantic and Pacific ocean basins.
How does the continental divide affect climate?
The Divide causes them to drop a great deal of their moisture on the west side allowing the now much drier air to descend the east slopes resulting in an arid landscape. From Helena north to the Canadian line, the Continental Divide has put its greatest mark on the weather.
Is the continental divide man made?
A continental divide is seen as any natural (not man-man) boundary separating precipitation which in this case includes rivers, rainfall, snowfall, etc that flows into two oceans. In other words this is like a barrier that prevents rivers, etc on one side from flowing into oceans and seas on the other side.
How does the continental divide work?
A continental divide is a ridge or natural boundary of elevated terrain that separates the drainage basins of a continent . Each drainage basin contributes its water to river systems, which in turn flow into distinct larger bodies of water, such as oceans.
Why is the continental divide important to US history?
Humans and the Divide
Though the Continental Divide separates the waters of North America , for thousands of years it has brought people together. The first people to see, name, and live among the lakes, rivers, and mountains of this land were the indigenous peoples of North America.
What exactly is the Continental Divide?
A continental divide is a boundary that separates a continent’s river systems . Each river system feeds into a distinct ocean, bay, or sea. ... Generally, precipitation that falls on one side of the divide will flow to one basin and precipitation that falls on the other side will flow to another basin.
Is the Continental Divide a physical or artificial boundary?
A continental divide is a naturally occurring boundary or ridge separating a continent’s river systems . Each river system feeds into a distinct ocean basin, bay, or sea.
How many states does the Continental Divide run through?
Most of the divide runs along the crest of the Rocky Mountains, through British Columbia and along the British Columbia–Alberta border in Canada, and through the states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado , and New Mexico in the United States.
What is the highest point of the Continental Divide?
At 14,278 feet, Grays Peak on the Clear Creek-Summit County border is the highest point of the Great Divide in North America.
What’s the significance of the Continental Divide?
Continental divides separate one drainage basin from another . They are used to define the direction that an area’s rivers flow and drain into the oceans and seas. The best-known continental divide is in North America and it runs along the Rocky and Andes mountain ranges.
Can you see the Continental Divide?
Monarch Pass is located at the southern end of the Sawatch Mountain Range and crosses the Continental Divide at 11,312 feet. For a unique vantage point of the divide, hop aboard the Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway. Soaring over 12,000 feet take in panoramic views while you straddle the divide.
What is another term for the Continental Divide?
In this page you can discover 3 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for continental-divide, like: continental-drift , divide and great divide.
Which two oceans are key to understanding the Continental Divide?
The Great Continental Divide. The Continental Divide is a line mostly made up of mountains that separates watersheds draining into each of the two major oceans, namely the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean .
What is the greatest river system found in the United States?
The Mississippi River System , also referred to as the Western Rivers, is a mostly riverine network of the United States which includes the Mississippi River and connecting waterways. The Mississippi River is the largest drainage basin in the United States.
How did the Continental Divide form?
Most scientists believe that the Rocky Mountains formed due to two tectonic plates crashing into each other and creating shock waves , which eventually created the high peaks we see in the Western United States. Of course, this happens very slowly- it takes millions of years for a new mountain range to fully form.
