The Big Rib River is a river in the U.S. state

U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...

 of 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...

. It originates in northeastern 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 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 ....

 and flows into Marathon County

Marathon County, Wisconsin

Marathon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is part of the Wausau, WI, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 134,063. Its county seat is Wausau.-Geography:...

 where it joins the Wisconsin River

Wisconsin River

-External links:* * * , Wisconsin Historical Society* * * *...

.

The Big Rib River flows through Rib Falls

Rib Falls, Wisconsin

Rib Falls is a town in Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Wausau, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 907 at the 2000 census...

 then to Marathon City

Marathon City, Wisconsin

Marathon City is a village in Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Wausau, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,640 at the 2000 census. The village was incorporated from a part of the original area of the Town of Marathon...

 before it converges into the Wisconsin River

Wisconsin River

-External links:* * * , Wisconsin Historical Society* * * *...

 at the northeast face of Rib Mountain

Rib Mountain

Rib Mountain is a glacially-eroded monadnock in central Wisconsin, located in the Town of Rib Mountain in Marathon County...

.

The dells of the Big Rib River, below Goodrich

Goodrich, Wisconsin

Goodrich is a town in Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 487 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Goodrich is located in the town.-Geography:...

, are believed to be the rapids where Father René Menard

René Menard

René Menard was a French Jesuit missionary explorer who traveled to Canada in 1641, learned the language of the Wyandot, and was soon in charge of many of the satellite missions around Sainte-Marie among the Hurons...

 disappeared in 1661, which attempting to reach a band of Huron Indians at Lake Chelsea. He left his partner at the rapids to carry some supplies and was never seen again.