Sinsinawa River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sinsinawa River |
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|---|---|
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Grant County southeast of Dickeyville, Wisconsin 973 ft (297 m) 42°35′54″N 90°31′46″W / 42.5983333°N 90.5294444°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with the Mississippi west of Galena, Illinois 591 ft (180 m) 42°24′36″N 90°30′20″W / 42.41°N 90.5055556°W |
| Length | 21 mi (34 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Sinsinawa River → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico |
| GNIS ID | 418548 |
The Sinsinawa River is a river about 21-mile-long (34 km) that flows into the mighty Mississippi River. It starts in Grant County, Wisconsin, near Cuba City. From there, it flows south into Jo Daviess County, Illinois, finally joining the Mississippi River a few miles west of Galena.
What Makes the Sinsinawa River Special?
The Sinsinawa River is found in a unique area called the Driftless Area. This region is special because it was not covered by ice during the last ice age. Most of the land around it was flattened by glaciers, but the Driftless Area kept its hills and valleys. This is why the Sinsinawa River flows through a rugged, beautiful canyon.
How Did the Driftless Area Stay Ice-Free?
During the last ice age, huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, covered much of North America. However, for reasons scientists still study, the glaciers split and flowed around this particular area. This left the Driftless Area untouched by the ice, preserving its ancient landscape.
What Does "Sinsinawa" Mean?
The name "Sinsinawa" is linked to Sinsinawa Mound in Grant County, Wisconsin. There are a couple of ideas about what the name means:
- One idea is that "Sinsinawa" comes from an Algonquian word. Algonquian is a group of languages spoken by many Native American tribes, like the Potawatomi, Fox, or Menominee. This word might have meant "rattlesnake" and was used to describe the Sioux people.
- Another idea suggests that "Sinsinawa" means "home of the young eagle." Both meanings connect the river to the rich history and nature of the area.
