Little Wabash River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Wabash River |
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Map of the Little Wabash River highlighted within the Wabash River watershed
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Coles County west of Mattoon, Illinois 39°28′31″N 88°27′30″W / 39.4753117°N 88.458384°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with the Wabash River near New Haven, Illinois 341 ft (104 m) 37°53′27″N 88°05′40″W / 37.8908788°N 88.0944784°W |
| Length | 242 mi (389 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Little Wabash → Wabash → Ohio → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico |
| GNIS ID | 412430 |
| West Branch Little Wabash River | |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Shelby County southeast of Windsor 39°25′08″N 88°32′46″W / 39.4189247°N 88.5461654°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with the Little Wabash River, Shelby County, Illinois 568 ft (173 m) 39°17′49″N 88°32′45″W / 39.29697°N 88.54594°W |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | West Branch → Little Wabash → Wabash → Ohio → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico |
| GNIS ID | 420792 |
The Little Wabash River is a river in Illinois, USA. It is about 240-mile-long (390 km). This river is a tributary of the Wabash River. A tributary is a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river.
The Little Wabash River is part of a huge watershed. This means all the rain and snow that falls in its area flows into it. From there, the water travels through the Wabash and Ohio rivers. Finally, it reaches the mighty Mississippi River and then the Gulf of Mexico. The Little Wabash is the third largest tributary of the Wabash River.
Contents
Where Does the Little Wabash River Flow?
The Little Wabash River starts in Coles County. This is near the town of Mattoon. From there, it flows mostly south.
Counties and Towns Along the River
The river passes through many counties in Illinois. These include:
It also flows past several towns. Some of these towns are Louisville, Golden Gate, Carmi, and New Haven.
Where the Journey Ends
The Little Wabash River eventually joins the Wabash River. This meeting point is between White and Gallatin counties. It's about 4 miles (6 km) southeast of New Haven.
River Friends: Tributaries of the Little Wabash
As the Little Wabash River flows, other smaller rivers and streams join it. These are its tributaries.
The West Branch Little Wabash River
In its upper part, in Shelby County, the river is dammed. This forms a lake called Lake Mattoon. Here, a short river called the West Branch Little Wabash River joins it. This branch flows entirely within Shelby County.
Other Rivers Joining the Little Wabash
Other important rivers that flow into the Little Wabash include:
- The Fox River: This river joins in Edwards County.
- The Elm River: This river joins in Wayne County.
- The Skillet Fork: This river joins in White County.
