Fox River (Illinois River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fox River |
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The Fox River near South Elgin, Illinois
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Fox River and its watershed
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| Country | United States |
| States | Wisconsin, Illinois |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 1 mi (1.6 km) southeast of Colgate, Wisconsin 942.78 ft (287.36 m) 43°11′09″N 88°11′42″W / 43.18583°N 88.19500°W |
| River mouth | Illinois River at Ottawa, Illinois 460.28 ft (140.29 m) 41°20′37″N 88°50′26″W / 41.34361°N 88.84056°W |
| Length | 202 mi (325 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Fox River → Illinois → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico |
| River system | Mississippi River |
| Tributaries |
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| Waterbodies | Chain O'Lakes |
The Fox River is a long river in the United States. It flows for about 202-mile (325 km) (325 km). The river starts in southeastern Wisconsin and flows into the Illinois River in Ottawa, Illinois.
In the 1800s, the part of the Fox River in Wisconsin was called the Pishtaka River. Did you know there are other rivers named Fox River? Two smaller ones are in southern Illinois. One joins the Wabash River near New Harmony, Indiana.
Contents
The Fox River in Wisconsin
The Fox River begins in the Halbach Swamp. This is about 1 mi (1.6 km) southeast of Colgate, Wisconsin. It flows through many towns in Wisconsin. These include Waukesha and Burlington. The river travels for about 84 miles (135 km) (135 km) in Wisconsin.
Dams and Waterways
A big dam in Waterford creates a large area of water. This area is about 1,200-acre (4.9 km2) (4.8 km²) in size. Boats can travel easily on this part of the river. It is one of the busiest waterways in southeastern Wisconsin.
The river is usually easy to navigate from Tichigan, Wisconsin down to the dam. The Fox River connects several small lakes here. These include Tichigan Lake and Buena Lake. People often call this whole area "Tichigan Lake."
Near the dam, Foxwood Isle separates the main dam from a spillway. A smaller dam is also found in downtown Rochester. After this, the river flows freely through Burlington. Here, it meets the White River. It then continues to Wilmot. This part of the river is popular for canoeing. It offers beautiful views.
Flooding in Wisconsin
Flooding often happens along this part of the river. It is especially common near Wheatland, close to the state border.
The Fox River in Illinois
The Fox River enters Illinois and becomes wider. It forms a group of connected lakes called the Chain O'Lakes. Fox Lake is the biggest town in this area. From these lakes, the river flows south for about 118 miles (190 km) (190 km). It joins the Illinois River at Ottawa.
Many towns and communities are located along the Fox River in Illinois. Some of these include McHenry, Elgin, St. Charles, and Aurora. The entire area around the Fox River is known as the Fox Valley. About one million people live here.
Native American History
Long ago, Native American tribes lived near the Fox River. These tribes included the Potawatomi, Sac, and Fox tribes.
Dams and Wildlife in Illinois
The Fox River has 15 dams in Illinois. One is the McHenry Dam. This dam helps keep the water deep enough in the Chain O'Lakes. There is also a hydroelectric dam near Ottawa. This dam uses the river's water to make electricity. In the winter, you might see bald eagles nesting along the riverbanks.
Historical Importance
In the early days of Illinois, the Fox River was important for transportation. It provided water for the Illinois and Michigan Canal. A special channel, called a feeder canal, carried water from the Fox River to the main canal. This allowed the canal to cross over the Fox River using an aqueduct.
Flooding Events
The Fox River has experienced several floods over the years.
Notable Floods
- 1996 Flood: A flood in 1996 damaged the Farnsworth House in Illinois. This famous house was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. One of its windows broke, causing a lot of damage.
- 1998 Flood: In 1998, melting snow caused the river to rise quickly. The ground was still frozen, so it could not soak up the water. This led to flooding in the valley.
- 2008 Flood: The remains of Hurricane Ike brought a huge amount of rain to the Fox River Valley in 2008. This caused another major flood.
Images for kids
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Fox River at Montgomery Dam in Montgomery, Illinois
