Galena River (Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Galena River |
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The Galena River flowing through downtown Galena, Illinois in April 2008. Note the city floodgates in center connecting to the river levee system on the right
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| Other name(s) | Rivière aux Fèves |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lafayette County northwest of Belmont, Wisconsin 1,153 ft (351 m) 42°45′17″N 90°23′04″W / 42.7547222°N 90.3844444°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with the Mississippi southwest of Galena, Illinois 591 ft (180 m) 42°22′27″N 90°26′46″W / 42.3741667°N 90.4461111°W |
| Length | 52 mi (84 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Galena River → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico |
| GNIS ID | 426934 |
The Galena River, also known as the Fever River, is a river in the Midwestern United States. It is about 52 miles (84 km) long. This river flows through parts of Wisconsin and Illinois.
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Where the Galena River Flows
The Galena River starts in Lafayette County, Wisconsin. It flows south of Benton and southwest of Shullsburg.
The river then enters Jo Daviess County, Illinois. It passes through the city of Galena. A few miles southwest of Galena, it joins the mighty Mississippi River.
The Driftless Area
The Galena River is part of a special region called the Driftless Area. This area covers parts of Wisconsin and Illinois. It's unique because it was not covered by ice during the last Ice Age.
Because there was no ice, the land here was shaped by water and wind for thousands of years. This created deep valleys and canyons, like the one the Galena River flows through.
How the Galena River Got Its Name
The Galena River had different names in the past. It was first known as "Rivière aux Fèves" by French explorers. This means "Bean River" in French.
It was called this because many wild beans grew along its banks. Over time, people started to mispronounce the French name. This led to it being called the "Fever River."
The Winnebago War
The river is also linked to an event called the Winnebago War of 1827. This conflict is sometimes known as the "Fever River War." It involved Native American tribes and settlers in the area.
