North Branch Kishwaukee River
Encyclopedia
The North Branch Kishwaukee River is a 17.1 miles (27.5 km) tributary of the Kishwaukee River
in northern Illinois.
and flows south through McHenry County
. to join the Kishwaukee River east of Marengo
. It drains approximately 40 square miles (103.6 km²) of land area, flowing for 17 miles.
. The North Branch has an average width of 50 feet (15.2 m), but in Boone County the stream becomes both wider and deeper. Nearer its point of origin the North Branch has a substrate
of gravel, the substrate becomes sand and silt going further downstream.
Kishwaukee River
The Kishwaukee River, sometimes locally known as simply "The Kish", is a river in the U.S. state of Illinois. "The Kish" is famous for its high number of bridges that cross within its 100-year floodplain.-Location:...
in northern Illinois.
Course
The North Branch Kishwaukee River northeast of Harvard, IllinoisHarvard, Illinois
Harvard is a city located in McHenry County in the northeastern corner of the U.S. state of Illinois, approximately south of the Illinois/Wisconsin border. The population was 7,996 at the 2000 census...
and flows south through McHenry County
McHenry County, Illinois
McHenry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 308,760, which is an increase of 18.7% from 260,077 in 2000. Its county seat is Woodstock. This county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. It is the sixth largest county, in...
. to join the Kishwaukee River east of Marengo
Marengo, Illinois
Marengo is a city in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,355 at the 2000 census.- Geography :Marengo is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Major Streets:...
. It drains approximately 40 square miles (103.6 km²) of land area, flowing for 17 miles.
Description
The North Branch Kishwaukee River flows in an east-west direction from its point of origin and has a generally unimpeded flow, save a dam at Belvidere, IllinoisBelvidere, Illinois
Belvidere is a city in Boone County, Illinois, United States. The population was 25,585 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Boone County. Belvidere is part of the Rockford, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. The North Branch has an average width of 50 feet (15.2 m), but in Boone County the stream becomes both wider and deeper. Nearer its point of origin the North Branch has a substrate
Substrate (marine biology)
Stream substrate is the material that rests at the bottom of a stream. There are several classification guides. One is:*Mud – silt and clay.*Sand – Particles between 0.06 and 2 mm in diameter.*Granule – Between 2 and 4 mm in diameter....
of gravel, the substrate becomes sand and silt going further downstream.