Book 20, Question 21
What Is the Continental Divide?
The Continental Divide is a line along mountain ridges where rain and melting snow choose different directions! Water on one side flows toward one ocean, and water on the other side flows toward another. It is like a rooftop for a whole continent.
More fun facts
- The Continental Divide is an invisible line along high ground.
- It separates the big watersheds that drain to different oceans.
- Rain falling west of it usually flows toward the Pacific Ocean.
- At Two Ocean Pass in Wyoming, a creek splits into Pacific Creek and Atlantic Creek.
- Fish can actually swim across the divide there.
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service
Questions kids ask
Can a fish swim across the Continental Divide?
Yes. At Two Ocean Pass in Wyoming, a creek splits into Pacific Creek and Atlantic Creek, and fish can swim across.