Belle Fourche River - Definition and Overview

The Belle Fourche River

The Belle Fourche River (prounced bel FYOOSH) is a tributary of the Cheyenne River, approximately 290 mi (467 km) long, in the U.S. states of Wyoming and South Dakota.

It rises in northeastern Wyoming, in southern Campbell County, approximately 15 mi. (24 km) north of Wright. It flows northeast, past Moorcroft and Devil's Tower. Near the state line with Montana, it turns abruptly southeast and flows in western South Dakota, past Belle Fource and around the north side of the Black Hills. In southern Meade County near Hereford, it turns ENE and joins the Cheyenne approximately 50 mi (80 km) ENE of Rapid City.

The river provides significant flood control, recreation and irrigation for agriculture in western South Dakota. The total irrigation area of the river in South Dakota is approximately 57,000 acres (231 km²).

See also

• List of South Dakota rivers
• List of Wyoming rivers