Willow River (Little Fork River tributary) facts for kids

The Willow River is a river located in Minnesota, a state in the United States. It's an important part of the local water system. This river flows through two counties in Minnesota: St. Louis County and Koochiching County.

About the Willow River

Rivers like the Willow River are natural flowing waterways. They collect water from rain and melting snow. This water then travels across the land. Rivers are very important for the environment. They provide homes for many plants and animals. They also help shape the land over time.

Where Does It Start?

The Willow River begins its journey in St. Louis County. This area is near a small community called Gheen. The place where a river starts is called its source. Often, a river's source is a small spring, a lake, or even a swampy area.

Where Does It Go?

From its source, the Willow River flows along its path. It eventually joins another, larger river. This river is called the Little Fork River. The place where one river flows into another is known as its mouth or confluence. For the Willow River, this happens near Silverdale in Koochiching County.

Part of a Bigger Picture

The Willow River is not just a single river flowing by itself. It is part of a much larger network of waterways. This network is called the Hudson Bay drainage basin. A drainage basin is like a giant bowl. All the rain and snow that falls within this "bowl" eventually flows into one main river or body of water. In this case, the Willow River's water eventually makes its way to Hudson Bay in Canada. This shows how all water systems on Earth are connected!