Rocky Mountain 2012 - August Photo

NORTH FORK COLORADO RIVER

Early Spaniards called it Rio Colorado because of its muddy, reddish waters. Father Escalante referred to it as El Rio San Rafael By 1843, John C. Fremont used the name Grand River. Controversy arose over its map naming, especially the upper branch to its confluence with the Green River. On July 25, 1921 the entire length of the river officially became the Colorado River.