Black River (Wisconsin)
Encyclopedia
Black River is a river
in west-central Wisconsin
and tributary
of the Mississippi River
. The river is approximately 160 miles (257 km) long. The river begins in central Wisconsin, rising in Taylor County
at 45°19′00"N 90°15′20"W approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) west of the village of Rib Lake
.
The Black River flows south-southwest through Medford
, Greenwood
, Neillsville
and Black River Falls. The Black River first mingles with the Mississippi River in Lake Onalaska
in the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
. The lower 10 miles (16 km) of the river channel have been absorbed by Lake Onalaska, an impoundment of the Mississippi River formed by Lock and Dam No. 7
at Onalaska
. The river exits Lake Onalaska through a channel between French Island
and the city of Onalaska and rejoins the Mississippi River at 43°49′12"N 91°15′26"W, northwest of LaCrosse.
The Black River can be divided into two sections by the dam at Black River Falls. The upstream section averages 6.6 feet/mile gradient, while the lower section through the Driftless Area only averages 1.7 feet/mile gradient. An additional distinction is that the upper section has a substrate predominantly rocky and soil that contributes tannin, while the lower section has a predominantly sandy substrate. The tannin content of the water is the source of the river's name.
The river has been used to transport lumber, coal, and petroleum products. Sawmills for the lumber contributed to the growth of Neillsville, Black River Falls, and La Crosse.
The East Fork Black River rises in Wood County at 44°35′26"N 90°17′49"W, southwest of Marshfield
and flows south and west into Lake Arbutus on the Black River at 44°25′50"N 90°41′41"W.
The Little Black River is formed by the confluence of the East and West Branches at 45°07′51"N 90°16′00"W and flows into the Black River at 45°06′39"N 90°20′57"W south of Medford. the West Branch Little Black River rises at 45°15′59"N 90°15′07"W, south of Rib Lake and less than 2 miles (3.2 km) from the source of the main branch of the Black River. The East Branch Little Black River rises at 45°14′45"N 90°10′49"W south of Rib Lake.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in west-central Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. The river is approximately 160 miles (257 km) long. The river begins in central Wisconsin, rising in Taylor County
Taylor County, Wisconsin
Taylor County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 20,689. Its county seat is Medford.-History:The earliest recorded event in Taylor county probably occurred in 1661, when Wisconsin was part of New France...
at 45°19′00"N 90°15′20"W approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) west of the village of Rib Lake
Rib Lake, Wisconsin
Rib Lake is a village in Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 878 at the 2000 census. The village is within the Town of Rib Lake.-Geography:Rib Lake is located at ....
.
The Black River flows south-southwest through Medford
Medford, Wisconsin
Medford is a city in Taylor County, in north-central Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,326 at the 2010 census. The city is located mostly within the boundaries of the Town of Medford.- Geography :Medford is located at Medford is a city in Taylor County, in north-central Wisconsin,...
, Greenwood
Greenwood, Wisconsin
Greenwood is a city in Clark County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 1,079 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Greenwood is located at ....
, Neillsville
Neillsville, Wisconsin
Neillsville is a city in Clark County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 2,731 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat.-Geography:Neillsville is located at ....
and Black River Falls. The Black River first mingles with the Mississippi River in Lake Onalaska
Lake Onalaska
Lake Onalaska is a reservoir located on the Mississippi River between Wisconsin, and Minnesota. It is approximately across, and is the widest point on the Mississippi River. Located in La Crosse County in the state of Wisconsin, its latitude and longitude are . The lake is and is shored by the...
in the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is a . 261 river mile long National Wildlife Refuge located in and along the Upper Mississippi River. It runs from Wabasha, Minnesota in the north to Rock Island, Illinois in the south....
. The lower 10 miles (16 km) of the river channel have been absorbed by Lake Onalaska, an impoundment of the Mississippi River formed by Lock and Dam No. 7
Lock and Dam No. 7
Lock and Dam No. 7 is a lock and dam located near Onalaska, Wisconsin on the Upper Mississippi River. It forms pool 7 and Lake Onalaska.The facility is located on Mississippi River mile 702.5 near La Crescent, Minnesota...
at Onalaska
Onalaska, Wisconsin
Onalaska is a city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 18,097. It is part of the La Crosse Metropolitan Area....
. The river exits Lake Onalaska through a channel between French Island
French Island, Wisconsin
French Island is a census-designated place in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,207 at the 2010 census. It lies on an island of a similar name, with which it is not coextensive; most of the island is part of the city of La Crosse, but all are part of the La Crosse...
and the city of Onalaska and rejoins the Mississippi River at 43°49′12"N 91°15′26"W, northwest of LaCrosse.
The Black River can be divided into two sections by the dam at Black River Falls. The upstream section averages 6.6 feet/mile gradient, while the lower section through the Driftless Area only averages 1.7 feet/mile gradient. An additional distinction is that the upper section has a substrate predominantly rocky and soil that contributes tannin, while the lower section has a predominantly sandy substrate. The tannin content of the water is the source of the river's name.
The river has been used to transport lumber, coal, and petroleum products. Sawmills for the lumber contributed to the growth of Neillsville, Black River Falls, and La Crosse.
The East Fork Black River rises in Wood County at 44°35′26"N 90°17′49"W, southwest of Marshfield
Marshfield, Wisconsin
Marshfield is a city in Marathon and Wood counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is the largest city in Wood County. The small portion of the city that extends into Marathon County is part of the Wausau Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 18,800 at the 2000 census. Marshfield is...
and flows south and west into Lake Arbutus on the Black River at 44°25′50"N 90°41′41"W.
The Little Black River is formed by the confluence of the East and West Branches at 45°07′51"N 90°16′00"W and flows into the Black River at 45°06′39"N 90°20′57"W south of Medford. the West Branch Little Black River rises at 45°15′59"N 90°15′07"W, south of Rib Lake and less than 2 miles (3.2 km) from the source of the main branch of the Black River. The East Branch Little Black River rises at 45°14′45"N 90°10′49"W south of Rib Lake.