Elm River (Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elm River |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of Elm Creek and Raccoon Creek southeast of Flora, Illinois 38°35′58″N 88°24′47″W / 38.5994924°N 88.4131027°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with the Little Wabash River east of Fairfield, Illinois 371 ft (113 m) 38°23′41″N 88°13′29″W / 38.3947705°N 88.2247642°W |
| Length | 29.2 mi (47.0 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Elm River → Little Wabash → Wabash → Ohio → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico |
| GNIS ID | 407937 |
The Elm River is a river that flows through southeastern Illinois in the United States. It is about 29 miles (47 kilometers) long. The Elm River is a tributary, which means it's a smaller river that flows into a larger one. It joins the Little Wabash River. From there, its water travels through the Wabash River, then the Ohio River, and finally into the mighty Mississippi River. All this water eventually reaches the Gulf of Mexico!
Where the Elm River Flows
The Elm River starts in Wayne County, Illinois. It is formed when two smaller streams, Elm Creek and Raccoon Creek, join together. These creeks begin in Clay County, Illinois. After they meet, the Elm River flows mostly towards the southeast.
River Changes Over Time
Some parts of the Elm River have been changed by people. Engineers have sometimes made the river straighter. They have also rerouted some sections into special drainage ditches. This helps manage water flow in the area.
The Raccoon Creek Power Plant
Near the Raccoon Creek, which helps form the Elm River, there is a power plant. It's called the Raccoon Creek Power Plant. This plant uses special machines called combustion turbine generators to make electricity. It is an Ameren power plant.
