Amnicon River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Amnicon River |
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![]() Lower Falls in Amnicon Falls State Park
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Country | United States |
Location | Douglas County, Wisconsin |
Physical characteristics | |
Main source | East of Dowling Lake 600 ft (180 m) 46°28′26″N 92°01′55″W / 46.473957°N 92.03194°W |
River mouth | Lake Superior 46°41′31″N 91°51′30″W / 46.691884°N 91.858243°W |
Length | 45.5 mi (73.2 km) |
Basin features | |
GNIS ID | 1560841 |
The Amnicon River is a 45.5-mile (73.2 km) long river in Douglas County, Wisconsin. It starts east of Dowling Lake and Amnicon Lake. The river then flows north until it reaches Lake Superior, near the city of Superior.
About the Amnicon River
The Amnicon River is an important natural feature in Douglas County. It flows through different landscapes before emptying into Lake Superior. The river's journey includes a famous state park.
Amnicon Falls State Park
Amnicon Falls State Park is a popular spot along the river. This park is home to two main waterfalls. These waterfalls are called the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls. They show off an interesting geological feature.
The Douglas Fault
The waterfalls at Amnicon Falls State Park highlight something called the Douglas Fault. A fault is a crack in the Earth's crust. This fault separates two different types of rock. The Upper Falls flow over a hard rock called basalt. The Lower Falls, however, flow over a softer rock called sandstone. This difference in rock types makes the waterfalls unique.
History of the River
In the 1800s, the Amnicon River played a big role in the area's development. Loggers used the river to move cut trees. They floated these logs down to Lake Superior. These logs were then used to build the growing towns of Superior, Wisconsin, and Duluth. The river helped provide important building materials for these new communities.