Shelldrake River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shelldrake River |
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 Location within the state of Michigan
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Sheephead Lake Whitefish Township, Michigan 715 feet (218 m) 46°38′26″N 85°13′43″W / 46.64056°N 85.22861°W |
| River mouth | Whitefish Bay Shelldrake, Michigan 602 feet (183 m) 46°40′32.3″N 85°01′40.4″W / 46.675639°N 85.027889°W |
| Length | 32 miles (51.5 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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| Waterbodies | Shelldrake Lake |
The Shelldrake River is a river about 32 miles (51 kilometers) long. It is located in Chippewa County on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, in the United States. This river flows through Tahquamenon Falls State Park and the Lake Superior State Forest. It eventually empties into Lake Superior.
Contents
Where the River Starts
The Shelldrake River begins in a large wetland area. This area is called the Betsy Lake Wetland. It is a forest with hemlock and tamarack trees. The wetland gets a lot of water from rain and snow, especially from Lake Superior.
Even though the river starts in this big wetland, maps often show it flowing out of Sheephead Lake. This lake is a small, quiet lake inside the Betsy Lake Wetland. Because so much of the river flows through this wetland, some people also call it the "Betsy River."
River's Journey
The Shelldrake River generally flows from west to east. It ends in a place called Shelldrake, Michigan. Here, it joins Whitefish Bay, which is part of Lake Superior.
About 8 miles (13 kilometers) northwest of Shelldrake, there is a dam on the river. Near this dam, there is a simple campground run by the state. It has 17 spots, mostly used by people who like to fish for northern pike.
Animals Living Here
The area around the Shelldrake River is home to many interesting animals. You might see large mammals like moose and black bears. There is also a special place near the river's mouth where sandhill cranes build their nests.
A Bit of History
A famous explorer named Henry Rowe Schoolcraft visited the mouth of the Shelldrake River in June 1820. He camped there and found a small village of Ojibwa people. These villagers often fished for whitefish in the lake.
Don't Get Confused!
It's important not to mix up the Shelldrake River in Michigan with another river. There is also a Sheldrake River in Westchester County, New York. They have very similar names but are in different states!
