Pecatonica River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pecatonica River
The Pecatonica River in the Pecatonica River Woods State Natural Area in Iowa County, Wisconsin
Physical characteristics
Main source	Iowa County northwest of Cobb, Wisconsin 1,188 ft (362 m) 42°58′44″N 90°20′37″W / 42.9788889°N 90.3436111°W / 42.9788889; -90.3436111 (Pecatonica River origin)
River mouth	Confluence with the Rock River at Rockton, Illinois 712 ft (217 m) 42°27′00″N 89°04′30″W / 42.45°N 89.075°W / 42.45; -89.075 (Pecatonica River mouth)
Length	194 mi (312 km)
Basin features
Progression	Pecatonica River → Rock → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico
GNIS ID	415503

The Pecatonica River is a long river in the United States. It flows for about 194 miles (312 km). This river travels through southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. It is a branch, or tributary, of the Rock River.

The name Pecatonica comes from two old Native American words. These words are from the Algonquian languages. Bekaa (or Pekaa) means "slow." Niba means "water." So, the name Pecatonica means "Slow Water."

Where the Pecatonica River Flows

The Pecatonica River starts in the hills of southwest Wisconsin. It begins in Iowa County, near a town called Cobb.

First, it flows south, then turns southeast. It passes by towns like Calamine and Darlington. In Lafayette County, it meets the East Branch Pecatonica River.

The river then flows into Illinois. It goes past Freeport. Here, it turns east and then northeast. Near Shirland, it meets the Sugar River. Finally, the Pecatonica River joins the Rock River at Rockton. This is about 15 miles (24 km) north of Rockford.

Fun Places Along the Pecatonica River

Many parks and nature areas are found along the Pecatonica River. These places protect the river's natural beauty and wildlife. They also offer fun activities for people.

Illinois Parks and Preserves

In Illinois, the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District manages several parks. These parks are along the river in Winnebago County.

• The Pecatonica Wetlands Forest Preserve is a large area of about 1,048 acres (424 ha). It has oxbow lakes, wetlands, and forests.
• The Crooked River Forest Preserve is another large area, about 221 acres (89 ha). It also has oxbows, wetlands, and forests.
• The Pecatonica River Forest Preserve is about 466 acres (189 ha). It has a special bottomland forest. This area is an Illinois Nature Preserve, which means it is protected.
• The Trask Bridge Forest Preserve (15 acres / 6 ha) and the Two Rivers Forest Preserve (6 acres / 2 ha) are great for outdoor fun. They have places to launch boats, picnic, and fish. These parks are where the Sugar River meets the Pecatonica River.
• At the end of the Pecatonica River, you'll find the Macktown Forest Preserve. It's about 281 acres (114 ha). This preserve is where an old town called Macktown used to be.

The Natural Land Institute also protects two areas in Winnebago County:

• The Pecatonica Woodlands Preserve is about 142 acres (57 ha). It has forests, oxbow ponds, wetlands, and sedge meadows.
• The Nygren Wetland Preserve is a very large area, about 721 acres (292 ha). It used to be farmland. Now, it has been restored to prairies, oak savannas, wetlands, and oxbow ponds. This preserve is where the Pecatonica River meets the Rock River.

Wisconsin Parks and Preserves

Wisconsin also has special places along the Pecatonica River.

• The Pecatonica River Woods State Natural Area is near Mineral Point. It is about 110 acres (45 ha). This area has many different types of forests, from dry to wet areas. It was made a natural area in 1992.
• The Weir White Oaks State Natural Area is about 52 acres (21 ha). It has old, high-quality oak forests. It became a state natural area in 2002.
• The Blackhawk Memorial Park is about 120 acres (49 ha). It is owned and run by Lafayette County.

Flooding Along the Pecatonica River

The Pecatonica River has flooded several times in recent years. Since May 2017, it has flooded seven times. When the river floods, it can cause problems for nearby towns. For example, cleaning up after floods has cost the city of Freeport, Illinois over $1.5 million.

In March 2019, the river reached a new record high level of 22.4 feet (6.8 m) at Martintown, Wisconsin. The Pecatonica River also flooded again in October 2019. Other rivers in the Chicago area, like the Fox River and the Rock River, flooded at the same time.

A special station run by the USGS helps monitor the river's water levels in Freeport.

See also

In Spanish: Río Pecatonica para niños