Bad Axe River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bad Axe River |
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The North Fork of the Bad Axe River
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| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| County | Vernon |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Genoa 43°31′40″N 91°09′51″W / 43.52778°N 91.16417°W |
| River mouth | Mississippi River 43°31′12.91″N 91°13′40.28″W / 43.5202528°N 91.2278556°W |
The Bad Axe River is a small river in southwestern Wisconsin, United States. It flows for about 4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers) before joining the mighty Mississippi River. The name "Bad Axe" comes from the French phrase "la mauvaise hache." The exact reason for this name is not known.
The area where the Bad Axe River meets the Mississippi River is historically significant. In 1832, a major event called the Battle of Bad Axe took place here. This was the final battle of the Black Hawk War. During this conflict, many Sac and Fox Native Americans were involved in a confrontation with the U.S. Army.
Where Does the Bad Axe River Flow?
The Bad Axe River flows entirely within western Vernon County, Wisconsin. It actually starts as two separate streams. These are known as the North Fork Bad Axe River and the South Fork Bad Axe River.
The North Fork
The North Fork of the Bad Axe River begins near the town of Westby. It flows mostly southwest for about 31 miles (50 kilometers).
The South Fork
The South Fork starts about 3 miles (5 kilometers) south of Viroqua. This fork flows westward for about 16 miles (26 kilometers).
The Main River
The two forks then come together to form the main Bad Axe River. This main part of the river flows for less than 5 miles (8 kilometers) westward. It then meets the Mississippi River about 6 miles (10 kilometers) south of Genoa.
