Sugar River (Wisconsin) facts for kids
The Sugar River is a river about 91 miles (146 km) long. It flows through the states of Wisconsin and Illinois in the United States. The Sugar River is a branch, or "tributary," of the Pecatonica River.
Quick facts for kids Sugar River |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Dane County north of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin 1,164 ft (355 m) 43°01′22″N 89°43′22″W / 43.0227778°N 89.7227778°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with the Pecatonica south of Shirland, Illinois 718 ft (219 m) 42°26′08″N 89°11′50″W / 42.4355556°N 89.1972222°W |
| Length | 91 mi (146 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Sugar River → Pecatonica → Rock → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico |
| GNIS ID | 1575030 |
Contents
Where the Sugar River Flows
The Sugar River starts in the hills of southwest Wisconsin. This is in Dane County, about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Madison. The river's starting point is where the last big ice age glacier ended in North America.
West of the river, the land rises up. This area is called the Driftless Area. It has many steep hills and valleys because glaciers did not flatten it.
From its start, the river winds southeast. It flows past the towns of Paoli and Belleville. In Belleville, a dam creates Lake Belle View.
The river then flows east of Monticello. Here, another river, the Little Sugar River, joins it. The Sugar River continues south through Albany and Brodhead.
It then crosses into northern Illinois. In Illinois, it flows through large areas of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. These include Sugar River Alder, Colored Sands, and Sugar River preserves. The Sugar River finally joins the Pecatonica River in northern Winnebago County. This meeting point is near Shirland, about 5 miles (8 km) south of the state line. It is also about 15 miles (24 km) north-northwest of Rockford.
Fun Activities on the River
The Sugar River is a popular spot for outdoor fun! Many people enjoy floating down the river.
- Kayaking and Canoeing: People love to paddle kayaks and canoes on the river.
- Tubing: You can also float down the river on a large inner tube. Several companies rent tubes and provide rides to help people enjoy this activity.
Sugar River State Trail
The Sugar River State Trail is a 24-mile (39 km) long path. It used to be a railroad line but is now used for many activities. You can walk, bicycle, snowmobile, and cross-country ski on the trail.
Protecting the River
Two groups work to protect the land and water around the Sugar River. These groups are called watershed associations. A watershed is all the land where water drains into a specific river or lake.
- The Upper Sugar River Watershed Association helps care for the river north of Belleville.
- The Lower Sugar River Watershed Association takes care of the river south of Albany.
The area in between these two sections, called the Middle Sugar River Watershed, does not yet have its own organization.
