Galien River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Galien River
Galien River looking downstream from Warren Woods State Park trail bridge.
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Region	Berrien County
Physical characteristics
Main source	Dayton Lake East of Galien, Michigan, Berrien County, Michigan, United States 720 ft (220 m) 41°47′47″N 086°26′33″W / 41.79639°N 86.44250°W / 41.79639; -86.44250
River mouth	Lake Michigan New Buffalo, Berrien County, Michigan 581 ft (177 m) 41°48′04″N 086°44′57″W / 41.80111°N 86.74917°W / 41.80111; -86.74917
Basin features
Tributaries	Left: Dowling Creek, South Branch Galien River Right: Blue Jay Creek, East Branch Galien River, Kirktown Creek

The Galien River is a 30-mile-long stream in the southwest part of Michigan, in the United States. It begins at Dayton Lake and flows mostly west. The river finally empties into southeastern Lake Michigan at New Buffalo. The South Branch Galien River starts just north of the Indiana border. It forms where Spring Creek and the Galena River meet.

River's Name: A Bit of History

The Galien River was named after René Bréhant de Galinée. He was a French missionary, mapmaker, and explorer. In 1829, the name was officially changed to Galien by a special law.

Plants and Animals of the Galien River

Pair of tiger swallowtail butterflies on a log in the river.

Swamp rose growing on the bank of the Galien River.

Beaver have returned to the Galien River.

Pickerelweed flowers on a bend in the Galien River.

The Galien River flows through Warren Woods State Park. This park has the last remaining climax beech-maple forest in Michigan. A climax forest is one that has reached a stable stage of growth.

The Galien River area is home to many birds. It has the largest group of yellow-throated warblers in Michigan. It also has a lot of cerulean warblers. These are small, colorful birds that live in forests. Many other types of birds that live in bottomland forests also thrive here.

Some parts of the river and its smaller streams are considered "coldwater streams." This means the water stays cool, which is important for certain fish and insects. These coldwater areas include the main Galien River, East Branch Galien River, Blue Jay Creek, South Branch Galien River, and part of Spring Creek.

Where the River Flows: The Galien River Watershed

A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a single river or lake. The Galien River watershed covers about 180 square miles. It includes parts of LaPorte County, Indiana and Berrien County, Michigan.

The main part of the Galien River starts from Dayton Lake. This lake is in the northwest corner of Bertrand Township. From there, the river flows west to the village of Galien, Michigan. It then turns northwest into Weesaw Township and north towards New Troy. Near New Troy, the East Branch joins the main river. The river then flows west and southwest until it reaches New Buffalo.

Much of the land in the watershed is used for farming. To help water flow quickly from the flat land, many parts of the river and its streams have been straightened or deepened.

Galien River's Tributaries

Tributaries are smaller streams or rivers that flow into a larger river. Here are some of the streams that join the Galien River:

• South Branch Galien River: This branch starts just north of the Indiana border. It flows mostly north until it joins the main river north of New Buffalo.
  • Squaw Creek: This creek starts south of New Buffalo and flows north around the east side of town.
  • Blood Run: This stream begins in Springfield Township in LaPorte County, Indiana. It flows north and east.
  • Spring Creek: This creek starts in Hudson Township in Indiana. It flows north into Galien Township, then east into Three Oaks Township, and south into the South Branch.
  • Galena River: This river begins in LaPorte County, Indiana, near Springville.
• Kirktown Creek: This creek starts in Lake Township. It flows mostly south into the main river west of New Troy.
• East Branch Galien River: This branch begins in the northwest corner of Buchanan Township. It flows mostly west and south into the main river southeast of New Troy.
  • Judy Lake Drain: This stream flows from several lakes in western Buchanan Township.
• Blue Jay Creek: This creek starts in southeast Weesaw Township. It flows northwest to the main river in eastern Weesaw.
• Dowling Creek: This creek starts on the southern edge of Galien Township, near the Indiana border.
  • Beaverdam Creek: This creek begins in southwest Galien Township.