Green River (Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green River |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Reynolds Township, Lee County south of Rochelle, Illinois 775 ft (236 m) 41°51′26″N 89°05′30″W / 41.8572518°N 89.0917616°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with Rock River near Quad Cities 558 ft (170 m) 41°28′09″N 90°23′43″W / 41.4692011°N 90.3954067°W |
| Length | 89 mi (143 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Green River → Rock → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico |
| GNIS ID | 409398 |
The Green River is a river in northwestern Illinois, USA. It is about 89 miles (143 km) long. This river flows into the Rock River. The Rock River then joins the mighty Mississippi River. This means the Green River is part of the huge Mississippi River watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into one main river.
Over time, people have changed much of the Green River's path. They have made parts of it straighter and deeper. This process is called channelization.
Where Does the Green River Flow?
The Green River starts in the northern part of Lee County. From there, it first flows towards the southwest. It travels through several counties, including Lee, Whiteside, and Bureau. As it flows, it passes by the town of Amboy.
Turning West and Joining the Rock River
When the Green River reaches Bureau County, it changes direction. It turns and flows westward into Henry County. In this area, the river runs almost side-by-side with the Hennepin Canal. It also goes past the towns of Colona and Green Rock.
Finally, the Green River meets the Rock River. This meeting point is just west of Green Rock. It is also close to the Quad Cities, which is a group of cities located along the Mississippi River.
