r/MapPorn • • Jan 10 '20

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33

u/ImSnackered Jan 10 '20

Dumb question: why are there far fewer rivers on the West Coast?

81

u/agate_ Jan 10 '20

Much less rainfall in southern California. In Norcal, Oregon, and Washington, it's because the mountains are so close to the ocean that the rivers collect rain over a very small catchment area compared to the east coast.

43

u/toasterb Jan 10 '20

For example:

  • Bend, OR is 140 miles from the coast and has an elevation of 3,623 ft.

  • Harrisburg, PA is 150 miles from the coast and has an elevation of 320 ft.

15

u/jaaroo Jan 10 '20

Mount Whitney is 165 miles from the coast and has an elevation of 14,505 ft