West Okaw River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Okaw River |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Moultrie County southwest of Hammond 39°46′57″N 88°38′11″W / 39.7825343°N 88.6364539°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with the Kaskaskia River in Lake Shelbyville 600 ft (180 m) 39°31′42″N 88°41′41″W / 39.5283695°N 88.6947888°W |
| Length | 32 mi (51 km) |
| Basin features | |
| GNIS ID | 420878 |
The West Okaw River is a cool river in Illinois, USA. It flows into the Kaskaskia River. The spot where these two rivers meet is now part of Lake Shelbyville. This lake was created by building a dam. The West Okaw River helps form one of the "arms" of Lake Shelbyville.
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What's in a Name? The Okaw River Story
The West Okaw River is like a branch of the Kaskaskia River. Long ago, the Kaskaskia River itself was sometimes called the "Okaw." The name "Okaw" comes from an old French phrase, au Kaskaskies. This means "to the Kaskaskias" (referring to a Native American group). People often shortened it to au Kas. Even today, there's a town called Okawville near the Kaskaskia River. It's about 100 miles downstream from the West Okaw.
How Long is the West Okaw River?
The West Okaw River is about 32 mi (51 km) long. We measure its length from where it joins Lake Shelbyville. This measurement includes some special drainage ditches. These ditches make the river about eight miles longer than its natural path.
How the West Okaw River Was Formed
The area around the West Okaw River was shaped a very long time ago. This happened during the Wisconsin glaciation, a period when huge sheets of ice covered much of North America. This ice age took place between 70,000 and 10,000 years ago. The giant ice sheet moved forward until it reached the area near the Lake Shelbyville Dam. As the ice melted, it left behind a ridge of dirt and rocks called a moraine. The melting water flowed over this ridge, creating the Kaskaskia River we see today. This river then flowed through land that was even older, from a time called the Illinoian Stage.
Towns and Counties Along the West Okaw
Many towns and parts of counties are located in the area drained by the West Okaw River. This means the river's water flows through or near these places.
Towns and Villages
Here are some of the towns and villages in the West Okaw River's watershed:
Counties in the West Okaw Watershed
Parts of these Illinois counties are drained by the West Okaw River:
