The Salt River is a significant waterway in Arizona, carving a path across the central portion of the state before joining the Gila River near Phoenix. As one of the largest tributaries of the Gila River, the Salt River is instrumental in supplying water to the arid Phoenix metropolitan area and the surrounding agricultural lands. Its journey begins not at a single spring but through the merging of two distinct currents originating in the high country of eastern Arizona.
The Two Contributing Forks
The Salt River is formed by the convergence of two major streams: the White River and the Black River. Both rivers draw their waters from the White Mountains, a region that captures substantial snowmelt and precipitation. The Black River, approximately 114 miles long, begins near the towns of Greer and Alpine, with headwaters in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.
This river flows generally southwest and then northwest, forming a natural boundary between the Fort Apache Indian Reservation to the north and the San Carlos Indian Reservation to the south. The White River, in contrast, is entirely contained within the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Its flow is formed by the merger of its North and East Forks, which collect water from the Mogollon Rim and the slopes near Mount Baldy.
Pinpointing the Confluence
The Salt River officially begins at the confluence where the White River and the Black River unite. This starting point is situated in a remote area of eastern Gila County, Arizona, at an elevation of approximately 4,222 feet above sea level.
The confluence is located precisely on the boundaries of two tribal lands, marking the meeting point of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation and the San Carlos Indian Reservation. The newly formed Salt River then flows west from the White Mountains.
The Immediate Course
Immediately after its formation, the Salt River begins a steep descent through the rugged terrain of the Salt River Canyon. Flowing generally west and southwest, the river quickly transitions from high-mountain streams into a deep gorge. This initial course sees the river drop significantly, losing about 3,000 feet in elevation as it cuts through the mountains.
The river collects additional flow from perennial streams like Carrizo Creek and Cibecue Creek. The course continues through the Tonto National Forest before terminating at its first major impoundment. Here, the water is backed up by the Theodore Roosevelt Dam, forming Theodore Roosevelt Lake, the starting point of the Salt River Project’s reservoir system.