Red River (Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red River |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Olio Township, Woodford County, Illinois 40°42′51″N 89°13′06″W / 40.7141667°N 89.2183333°W |
| River mouth | Olio Township, Woodford County, Illinois 630 ft (190 m) 40°40′21″N 89°10′47″W / 40.6725362°N 89.1798039°W |
| Length | 7.5 mi (12.1 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Red River → Panther Creek → Mackinaw → Illinois → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico |
| GNIS ID | 416464 |
The Red River is a small but interesting river located in Woodford County, Illinois, in the United States. It stretches for about 7.5 miles (12.1 kilometers). This river is part of a much larger water system that eventually connects to the famous Mississippi River and then flows into the Gulf of Mexico.
Where the Red River Begins
The Red River starts its journey southeast of a town called Eureka. This starting point is known as its headwaters. From there, the river flows through several areas, or townships, in Woodford County.
The River's Path to the Sea
After winding its way through the land, the Red River flows into another waterway called Panther Creek. This meeting point is in Palestine Township.
Soon after the Red River joins it, Panther Creek itself flows into the Mackinaw River. The Mackinaw River then connects to the Illinois River. Finally, the Illinois River empties into the mighty Mississippi River. The Mississippi River then carries all this water south, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico. This entire area, where all the water drains into these rivers, is called a watershed.
A River's Unusual Flow
What makes the Red River quite unique is its official name and how it connects to other waterways. Usually, smaller streams or creeks flow into larger rivers. It's like how small roads lead to bigger highways.
However, the Red River is officially called a "river," even though it flows into Panther Creek, which is officially called a "creek." This is a bit unusual because creeks are typically smaller than rivers. It's a fun fact about how some waterways are named!
