North Branch Kishwaukee River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Branch Kishwaukee River |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | McHenry County northeast of Harvard, Illinois 966 ft (294 m) 42°26′49″N 88°32′17″W / 42.4469444°N 88.5380556°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with the Kishwaukee east of Marengo, Illinois 810 ft (250 m) 42°15′57″N 88°33′04″W / 42.2658333°N 88.5511111°W |
| Length | 17 mi (27 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | North Branch Kishwaukee River → Kishwaukee → Rock → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico |
| GNIS ID | 414567 |
The North Branch Kishwaukee River is a cool waterway in northern Illinois, USA. It's like a smaller stream that flows into a bigger one, the Kishwaukee River. This river is about 17 miles (27.5 kilometers) long, making it an important part of the local water system. It helps drain water from a large area of land.
Where Does the River Flow?
The North Branch Kishwaukee River starts its journey northeast of a town called Harvard, Illinois. From there, it flows south through McHenry County. Its path eventually leads it to join the main Kishwaukee River. This meeting point is located east of Marengo. The river helps drain about 40 square miles (100 square kilometers) of land.
What Does the River Look Like?
The North Branch Kishwaukee River generally flows from east to west when it first starts. For most of its path, the water flows freely. There is only one dam that slows it down, which is located near Belvidere, Illinois.
The river is usually about 50 feet (15 meters) wide. However, when it reaches Boone County, it becomes both wider and deeper. This change in size can make the river look different in various spots.
Near where the river begins, the bottom of the river (called the substrate) is mostly made of gravel. As the river flows further downstream, the bottom changes. It becomes more sandy and silty. This change happens because the water slows down and drops finer materials as it travels.
