Yahara River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yahara River |
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The Yahara River near Stoughton
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A map of the Yahara River and its watershed
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| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| Counties | Dane, Columbia, Rock |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Windsor, Dane County 1,043 ft (318 m) 43°16′51″N 89°17′36″W / 43.2808235°N 89.293449°W |
| River mouth | Rock River Town of Fulton, Rock County 774 ft (236 m) 42°47′35″N 89°07′22″W / 42.7930621°N 89.1228916°W |
| Length | 62 mi (100 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 536 sq mi (1,390 km2) |
| Hydrologic Unit Code | 0709000205, 0709000206, 0709000207, 0709000208, 0709000209 (USGS) |
The Yahara River is an important river in southern Wisconsin, United States. It flows into the Rock River, which then joins the mighty Mississippi River. This means the Yahara River is part of a huge water system!
The river is about 62 miles (100 km) (100 km) long. It helps drain an area of about 536 square miles (1,390 km2) (1,388 km²). The Yahara River is special because it connects several lakes around the city of Madison.
Contents
Where Does the Yahara River Flow?
The Yahara River starts in Windsor, in northern Dane County. It flows south through different towns and villages. These include DeForest and Windsor.
The river then reaches Lake Mendota in the city of Madison. After Lake Mendota, the river continues its journey. It flows through a narrow area in Madison called the Madison Isthmus.
Connecting Madison's Lakes
The Yahara River connects four main lakes around Madison. These are Lake Mendota, Lake Monona, Lake Waubesa, and Lake Kegonsa. This connection makes the river a vital part of the area's natural beauty.
As it flows south, the river passes through places like Monona and McFarland. It also goes through the city of Stoughton. Finally, the Yahara River joins the Rock River in Fulton. This is about 9 miles (14 km) (14 km) northwest of Janesville.
What's in a Name? The Yahara River's History
The name "Yahara River" was officially decided in 1903. This decision was made by the United States Board on Geographic Names. But did you know the river had other names before?
It was also known as "Catfish River." Different Native American groups had their own names for it. The Sauk people called it "Myan-mek." The Potawatomi called it "Gooskehawn" (Gishkzhigwen). The Ho-Chunk people called it "Gahara" (howį́ǧera).
Meaning of Yahara
The name "Yahara" comes from the Ho-Chunk name "mąą’ii yahara." This means 'catfish river'. So, both "Yahara" and "Catfish River" refer to the same idea!
A River's Name in History
During World War II, a U.S. Navy ship was named after this river. It was a gasoline tanker called the USS Yahara (AOG-37). This shows how important and recognized the Yahara River is.
Images for kids
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The Yahara River near Stoughton
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A map of the Yahara River and its watershed
