Blue River (Indiana) facts for kids

The Blue River in late summer, just south of Fredericksburg, Indiana.

The Blue River is a 57-mile-long (92 km) stream in Indiana. It flows through Harrison, Crawford, and Washington counties. This river actually starts as two smaller streams, called forks.

The North Fork begins near Salem. It flows south. The South Fork starts near New Liberty. It flows southwest. These two forks meet in a town called Fredericksburg. From there, the main river flows south. It eventually joins the Ohio River near Leavenworth. This area is part of the Harrison–Crawford State Forest.

Many people love the Blue River for its beautiful scenery. It's a top spot in Southern Indiana for canoeing and kayaking. The river gets a lot of its water from underground sources. This makes its waters very clear and gives them a bluish color. The areas around the river are mostly wild and covered in trees. You can see many big hills, limestone cliffs, and caves along the riverbanks.

The river is split into different parts. These parts are called scenic, recreational, and natural areas. The Blue River Commission helps manage and protect the river.

The River's Journey

Where the River Starts

North and South Forks

The North Fork of the Blue River starts north of Salem. It flows south through the town. Then it continues through farmland. It meets the South Fork in Fredericksburg. The South Fork begins in New Liberty. It starts where Springle Creek and Poplar Branch meet. This stream then flows southwest. It goes through New Pekin. It continues through rolling hills and farms. Finally, it meets the North Fork in Fredericksburg.

Both of these forks are like large creeks. They are too small for boats to travel on. They don't have any big rivers flowing into them. Only small streams add a little water to them. Beck's Mill is a historic gristmill from the 1800s. It is located on Mill Creek, which flows into the North Fork.

The Main River

The main Blue River starts its 57.15 miles (91.97 km) journey to the Ohio River. This journey begins where its two forks meet in Fredericksburg. From this point, you can travel the river by canoe. There are several places where people can get into the river.

From Fredericksburg, the river flows south. It winds through farmland and then into more wooded areas. These areas have large cliffs. The river has gentle rapids. These rapids continue until the river gets close to Milltown. Milltown is the biggest town along the river. In Milltown, there's an old mill site with a large dam. This dam creates a deep pool of water for over a mile. This deep water allows small fishing boats to use part of the river. However, canoeists need to carry their canoes around the dam. They then put their canoes back in the water right below it.

From Milltown, the river keeps flowing south. There's another small dam at Rothrock's Mill. Travelers also need to carry their canoes around this dam. But this is the last obstacle on the river. The river briefly turns southeast. It is joined by water from Harrison Spring. This is the largest spring in Indiana. The river then continues to White Cloud. Here, the river turns southwest.

From White Cloud, the river flows freely. It goes through the Harrison–Crawford State Forest. The last part of the river flows through thick, protected forests. It's easy to reach from many spots in the state forest. You can also access it from O'Bannon Woods State Park. The Blue River finally empties into the Ohio River. This is just upstream from Leavenworth.

Fun on the River

The Blue River is a popular place for canoeing and kayaking. People can start their river trips at several public access points. Companies like Cave Country Canoes in Milltown and Old Mill Canoes in Fredericksburg rent equipment. They also offer places for visitors to stay.

River Life

The Blue River is home to many animals and plants found in Indiana. You can find different types of fish here. These include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie. Many birds are also often seen near the river. These include ducks, geese, bald eagles, and cranes. Indiana Bats are an endangered species. They live in many caves close to the river.

River Towns

Long ago, Native Americans lived in this area. They dug up bluish-gray chert and flint from the Ohio Valley. They used these materials to make arrowheads, spearheads, and other tools. The first European and American explorers came to the region by traveling along the Ohio River. Squire Boone, who was the younger brother of Daniel Boone, was one of the first explorers of the Blue River.

In the 1800s, American settlers came to the Ohio Valley. They built towns and businesses. They also traded goods using riverboats. Water mills were built along the Blue River. These mills helped local farms. Towns like Fredericksburg and Milltown grew and did well.

Later, electricity became common. Watermills in the United States were used less and less. Because of this, many towns along the river started to decline. Fredericksburg, which became a town in 1859, often had problems with flooding. The town officially stopped being a town in 2012. Milltown's main business has changed. Since the mill is no longer used, tourism is now very important. Many visitors start their river trips from Milltown.