Sangamon River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sangamon River |
|
|---|---|
The Sangamon River near Decatur.
|
|
| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Southern McLean County, Illinois 40°26′43.12″N 88°43′57.24″W / 40.4453111°N 88.7325667°W |
| River mouth | Illinois River at Beardstown, Illinois 40°1′21.17″N 90°25′58.45″W / 40.0225472°N 90.4329028°W |
| Length | 246 mi (396 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Illinois River — Mississippi River |
| River system | Mississippi River |
| Tributaries |
|
| GNIS ID | 421688 |
The Sangamon River is a major river in central Illinois, United States. It is about 246 miles (396 km) (396 km) long. The river flows into the Illinois River. It drains mostly farmland between the cities of Peoria and Springfield.
The Sangamon River is famous for its connection to Abraham Lincoln. He spent time here when he was young. The river also played a big part in how early European settlers moved into Illinois. This area was once known as "Sangamon River Country." A part of the river in Robert Allerton Park was named a National Natural Landmark in 1971.
River's Journey
The Sangamon River starts in southern McLean County, Illinois. It begins from small streams that flow from a moraine. A moraine is a hill made of rocks and dirt left behind by a glacier. This moraine is southeast of Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. Part of this area is now a public park called Moraine View State Recreation Area.
The river makes a big curve through central Illinois. First, it flows east into Champaign County, Illinois. Then it goes south through Mahomet. After that, it turns west through Monticello and Decatur. Finally, it turns northwest and flows past the north side of Springfield.
The Sangamon River gets water from Salt Creek. This happens about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Springfield. Then the river turns west again. It forms the border between Mason County and Menard and Cass counties. It joins the Illinois River from the east, just north of Beardstown.
In Decatur, the Sangamon River is blocked by a dam. This dam creates Lake Decatur. The lake was built between 1920 and 1922. It provides drinking water for the city of Decatur.
Lake Decatur has faced problems with siltation. This means too much dirt and mud build up in the lake. It also has issues with pollution from farms. Sometimes, there are high levels of nitrates from farm runoff. Nitrates can be harmful, especially for babies. Decatur has added special treatment to remove nitrates from the water.
The upper part of the Sangamon River flows along a special kind of glacial hill. This hill was left by a large ice sheet thousands of years ago. Because of this, the small creeks that flow into the Sangamon in this area are very short. They drain the side of this ancient glacial hill.
River's Past
For many centuries, different groups of Native Americans lived along the Sangamon River. The name "Sangamon" comes from a Pottawatomie word. It means "where there is plenty to eat." In the 1700s, the Kickapoo tribe settled here.
The area was also a place of conflict in the mid-1700s. The Illini and Fox tribes fought here. This was part of bigger wars known as the French and Iroquois Wars. French traders were active in this region. At that time, it was called the Illinois Country.
The first settlers from the United States arrived in the 1810s. In 1821, a man named Elijah Iles built the first store in Springfield. Groups of Presbyterian settlers also came to the river valley starting in 1825.
Abraham Lincoln and the Sangamon
Abraham Lincoln and his family moved to this area in 1830. They settled on land that the river flowed through. Lincoln's father chose this spot after the family moved from Indiana. The 21-year-old Lincoln helped build a small cabin by the river.
In 1831, Lincoln traveled down the river in a canoe. He went to start his own home near New Salem. Later that year, he floated down the river on a flatboat with friends. They went to the Illinois River, then to the Mississippi River, and all the way to New Orleans.
Lincoln was very aware of how hard it was to travel on the river. This was especially true when the first steamship, the Talisman, came up the river in 1832. The Talisman was a large boat. Lincoln helped guide it, and men had to chop down trees to clear the way.
During a flood, Lincoln once told a story about getting lost on the Sangamon. He said he took a steamship three miles into the prairie! In 1832, when he ran for the Illinois General Assembly, he made improving river travel a main goal.
In 1838, the Potawatomi Trail of Death passed through this area. This was a difficult journey for the Potawatomi people.
The Sangamon River Today
Even with some environmental challenges, the Sangamon River is a popular place for fun. Many people in Central Illinois enjoy outdoor activities here. Some important parks along the river include Shady Rest, Robert Allerton Park, and parks around Lake Decatur. Other spots are Rock Springs Conservation Area, Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park, and Carpenter Park in Springfield. You can also visit the Sangamon River State Fish and Wildlife Area, Lincoln's New Salem, Saybrook, and the Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area.
The Sangamon River has even been mentioned in songs! Sufjan Stevens's song "Decatur, Or, Round Of Applause For Your Stepmother!" talks about it. Singer-songwriter Ben Bedford also mentions the Sangamon in several of his songs. One of his songs is even named after the river.
