American Fork (river)
The American Fork (commonly known as the American Fork River) is a river in Utah County, Utah, United States.[1]
| American Fork | |
|---|---|
 The American Fork near the mouth of American Fork Canyon, March 2007 | |
  Location of American Fork River  American Fork (river) (the United States) | |
| Etymology | To differentiate from the Spanish Fork; or derived from a company name. |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Utah |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Unnamed stream flowing through the American Fork Canyon |
| • coordinates | 40°25′54″N 111°38′12″W[1] |
| Mouth | Utah Lake |
• location | south of American Fork (city) |
• coordinates | 40°20′33″N 111°45′36″W[1] |
• elevation | 4,495 feet (1,370 m) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Utah Lake – Jordan River – Great Salt Lake |
Description
The river rises at the mouth of American Fork Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains about 35 miles (56 km) southeast of Salt Lake City. The unnamed stream, which is the source of the American Fork, flows from Mineral Basin, through the length of the American Fork Canyon and has several named tributaries (Silver Creek, Deer Creek, and Cattle Creek). The river runs through northern Utah County and empties into Utah Lake on its north shore.
The city of American Fork is named after this river.[2] The description "American" in the river's name is to distinguish it from the Spanish Fork (river) that also originates in the Wasatch Range; alternatively, it could have been named after the American Fur Company.[3]
Fly fishermen commonly target smaller rainbow trout (measuring 6–12 in.) – and to a lesser extent brown trout – in the river during summer and fall, when strong runoff and snowfall does not limit access.
References
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: American Fork
- "American Fork City - American Fork Utah". Archived from the original on 2008-12-24. Retrieved 2008-12-24.
- "Place Names on the Uinta National Forest". USDA Forest Service.
it was named to avoid confusion with the Spanish Fork River to the south, another [source claims] that it was named by early trappers and mountain men who worked the creek for beaver in the early 1800s, in reference to the American Fur Company.
