Watersheds of Indiana facts for kids
Indiana is a state in the United States. It has many rivers and streams. All the water from rain and snow in a certain area flows into these rivers. This area is called a watershed (or drainage basin). Think of it like a giant funnel! All the water in that funnel eventually goes to one main river, lake, or ocean.
Indiana has six main watershed areas. These areas send their water to five different major bodies of water.
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Illinois River Watershed
The Illinois River watershed starts in northwest Indiana. It stretches all the way to the border with Illinois. It even goes up into Michigan! A big part of this area is the Kankakee River.
This watershed covers most of Northwest Indiana. This includes cities like La Porte. However, the very northern part of this area drains into Lake Michigan instead.
Lake Michigan Watersheds
Indiana has two main areas that drain into Lake Michigan.
Grand Calumet River Area
One watershed is in the northwest part of the state. It includes the Grand Calumet River area. This covers parts of Lake and Porter counties. Cities like Gary and Hammond are in this watershed. This area is shaped by a natural ridge called the Valparaiso Moraine.
St. Joseph River Area
The second and larger Lake Michigan watershed is the St. Joseph River watershed. This area covers north-central and northeastern Indiana. Important cities here include South Bend, Elkhart, Mishawaka, and Goshen.
Maumee River Watershed
The Maumee River watershed is the smallest in Indiana. It is in the northeast part of the state, right on the border with Ohio. This watershed includes most of Fort Wayne. Other cities like New Haven, Woodburn, and Auburn are also here. The Maumee River eventually flows into Lake Erie in Toledo, Ohio.
Ohio River Watershed
The Ohio River watershed covers the very southern part of Indiana. It also includes the far southwestern counties. Cities in this drainage area include Evansville, Richmond, and New Albany. It also includes the Indiana towns near Cincinnati, Ohio.
Wabash River Watershed
The Wabash River watershed is by far the largest in Indiana. It covers a huge part of the state. Many large cities are found here, including Indianapolis. The western part of Fort Wayne also drains into the Wabash.
Other cities in this watershed are Bloomington, Muncie, Lafayette, Anderson, and Terre Haute. This watershed also has most of Indiana's best farm land.
Watermelon Country
The Lower Wabash Valley area is sometimes called "Watermelon Country." This is because its sandy soil is perfect for growing watermelons and cantaloupes. Cities in this area include Vincennes and Sullivan. Many towns in this region, like Owensville, Poseyville, and Vincennes, hold "Watermelon Festivals." These festivals usually happen in early August when the watermelons are ready to be picked.
