Fryingpan River

The Fryingpan River is a tributary of the Roaring Fork River, approximately long, in Eagle and Pitkin counties in Colorado, United States.

History

The name originated when all but two of a group of trappers were killed by Utes; one survivor was injured and stayed in a cave while the other went to summon help after hanging a frying pan in a tree so he could find the cave again.
Image:Ruedi Reservoir.jpg|thumb|left|Ruedi Reservoir on the Fryingpan River

Geography

It rises in northeastern Pitkin County, in the White River National Forest in the Sawatch Mountains along the western side of the continental divide. It flows westward along the county line between Pitkin and Eagle County. Below Meredith, it is dammed to form the Ruedi Reservoir. It joins the Roaring Fork below Basalt. A portion of the river's water is diverted to the east side of the continental divide for irrigation and drinking water via the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project.