Platte River (Wisconsin)
Encyclopedia
The Platte River is a tributary
of the Mississippi River
in southwestern Wisconsin
in the United States
. Its watershed
lies almost entirely within Grant County
, with only a small portion in neighboring Iowa County
, and its main tributary is the Little Platte River. It is about 47 mi (76 km) long.
and follows a generally southwesterly course through Grant County. It flows into the Mississippi River about 3 mi (5 km) southwest of Dickeyville
, across from Mud Lake, Iowa. It is navigable from Ellenboro
downstream to its confluence
with the Mississippi. At one time, steamboats
could navigate the lowest reaches of the river.
The Platte's largest tributary is the Little Platte River, which rises near Livingston
. It joins the Platte River 42 miles (67.6 km) to the southwest about 2 miles (3 km) west of Paris
.
, which is uncharacteristic in the region. The vast majority of the area is covered in farmland and forest. The combination of the rugged terrain and extensive agriculture leads to significant runoff after storms, contributing to the many rapids along both rivers. One notable feature of the landscape is Platte Mound, which rises out of the relatively level surrounding terrain. This is the site of the world's largest letter M
.
The rivers are part of the larger Grant-Platte Basin. The 455.07 miles (732.4 km) of streams comprising the Platte River watershed cover 197.74 square miles (512 km²). The watershed of the Little Platte River, which spills into adjoining Iowa
and Lafayette Counties
, was considered part of the Platte River watershed when surveyed by the Wisconsin DNR in 1979. Its 184 miles (296.1 km) drain 154.94 square miles (401 km²). All told, the combined watersheds drain 352.68 square miles (913 km²), approximately 30% of Grant County.
, Dickeyville, Potosi
, Montfort, and Livingston. Dickeyville sits on the border of the two watersheds, while Livingston marks the three-way divide between the two watersheds and that of the Upper West Branch Pecatonica River.
U.S. Route 61
crosses immediately downstream of the confluence of the Platte and Little Platte Rivers. The University of Wisconsin–Platteville is the only four-year university or college in the basin.
Recreation in the area includes boating and whitewater canoeing
and kayaking
. Local fishing is also popular, with the most common species being smallmouth bass
, channel catfish
, and northern pike
. Public access to the Platte River is limited. A county canoe trail was proposed in 2001, and the city of Platteville offers several parks and trails.
: "Approximately 8.6 tons per acre per year of soil is lost from farm fields in the watershed. This watershed ranked second in the county as a 'priority area for erosion control.' DNR staff believe runoff from barnyards and feedlots, particularly in some headwaters areas, to be a severe problem in this watershed." According to a 2001 report, the main environmental issues are nonpoint source pollution
in the forms of agricultural and urban runoff; soil erosion; mine waste; and a decline in the smallmouth bass population. The rivers empty into Pool 11 of the Mississippi River and are a major source of sediment. In 1997, the sedimentary discharge was estimated at 182 tons per square mile per year. In addition, Grant County has many abandoned galena
mines that are cited as sources of pollution.
In addition to the DNR, local citizen groups are addressing conservation issues. The Friends of the Platte River, Inc. bills itself as a "group that exists to serve as a forum to address issues affecting the Platte/Little Platte River watershed and to seek impartial solutions that restore, enhance, and protect this valuable resource." Friends of the Platte River website
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...
in southwestern 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...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
lies almost entirely within Grant County
Grant County, Wisconsin
Grant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 49,597. Its county seat is Lancaster. Estimates for 2008 show a population of 49,238...
, with only a small portion in neighboring Iowa County
Iowa County, Wisconsin
Iowa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 22,780. Its county seat and largest city is Dodgeville.Iowa County is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, and its main tributary is the Little Platte River. It is about 47 mi (76 km) long.
Course
The Platte River rises near MontfortMontfort, Wisconsin
Montfort is a village in Grant and Iowa Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 663 at the 2000 census.The Iowa County portion of Montfort is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the Grant County portion is part of the Platteville Micropolitan Statistical...
and follows a generally southwesterly course through Grant County. It flows into the Mississippi River about 3 mi (5 km) southwest of Dickeyville
Dickeyville, Wisconsin
Dickeyville is a village in Grant County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,043 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Dickeyville is located at ....
, across from Mud Lake, Iowa. It is navigable from Ellenboro
Ellenboro, Wisconsin
Ellenboro is a town in Grant County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 608 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Ellenboro is located in the town...
downstream to its confluence
Confluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
with the Mississippi. At one time, steamboats
Steamboats of the Mississippi
Steamboats played a major role in the 19th Century development of the Mississippi River and its tributaries by allowing the practical large-scale transport of passengers and freight both up- and down-river. Using steam power, riverboats were developed during that time which could navigate in...
could navigate the lowest reaches of the river.
The Platte's largest tributary is the Little Platte River, which rises near Livingston
Livingston, Wisconsin
Livingston is a village in Grant and Iowa Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 597 at the 2000 census.The Iowa County portion of Livingston is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the Grant County portion is part of the Platteville Micropolitan...
. It joins the Platte River 42 miles (67.6 km) to the southwest about 2 miles (3 km) west of Paris
Paris, Grant County, Wisconsin
Paris is a town in Grant County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 754 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.5 square miles , of which, 35.1 square miles of it is land and 0.4 square miles of it is...
.
Geography
The Platte and Little Platte Rivers lie in exceptionally hilly terrain known as the Driftless Area. Many steep limestone bluffs dominate the landscape, often covered by white pineEastern White Pine
Pinus strobus, commonly known as the eastern white pine, is a large pine native to eastern North America, occurring from Newfoundland west to Minnesota and southeastern Manitoba, and south along the Appalachian Mountains to the northern edge of Georgia.It is occasionally known as simply white pine,...
, which is uncharacteristic in the region. The vast majority of the area is covered in farmland and forest. The combination of the rugged terrain and extensive agriculture leads to significant runoff after storms, contributing to the many rapids along both rivers. One notable feature of the landscape is Platte Mound, which rises out of the relatively level surrounding terrain. This is the site of the world's largest letter M
Platte Mound M
The Platte Mound M is the letter "M" written using whitewashed stones on Platte Mound about four miles east of Platteville, Wisconsin. It is the largest letter "M" in the world...
.
The rivers are part of the larger Grant-Platte Basin. The 455.07 miles (732.4 km) of streams comprising the Platte River watershed cover 197.74 square miles (512 km²). The watershed of the Little Platte River, which spills into adjoining Iowa
Iowa County, Wisconsin
Iowa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 22,780. Its county seat and largest city is Dodgeville.Iowa County is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:According to the U.S...
and Lafayette Counties
Lafayette County, Wisconsin
Lafayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 16,137. Its county seat is Darlington.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, was considered part of the Platte River watershed when surveyed by the Wisconsin DNR in 1979. Its 184 miles (296.1 km) drain 154.94 square miles (401 km²). All told, the combined watersheds drain 352.68 square miles (913 km²), approximately 30% of Grant County.
Communities
The largest communities within the combined watersheds are PlattevillePlatteville, Wisconsin
Platteville is the largest city in Grant County in southwestern Wisconsin. The population was 11,224 at the 2010 census, growing 12% since the 2000 Census. Much of this growth is likely due to the enrollment increase of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville...
, Dickeyville, Potosi
Potosi, Wisconsin
Potosi is a village in Grant County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 711 at the 2000 census. The village is in the Town of Potosi.-Claim to fame:...
, Montfort, and Livingston. Dickeyville sits on the border of the two watersheds, while Livingston marks the three-way divide between the two watersheds and that of the Upper West Branch Pecatonica River.
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
crosses immediately downstream of the confluence of the Platte and Little Platte Rivers. The University of Wisconsin–Platteville is the only four-year university or college in the basin.
Recreation in the area includes boating and whitewater canoeing
Whitewater canoeing
Whitewater canoeing is the sport of paddling a canoe on a moving body of water, typically a whitewater river. Whitewater canoeing can range from simple, carefree gently moving water, to demanding, dangerous whitewater. River rapids are graded like ski runs according to the difficulty, danger or...
and kayaking
Whitewater kayaking
Whitewater kayaking is the sport of paddling a kayak on a moving body of water, typically a whitewater river. Whitewater kayaking can range from simple, carefree gently moving water, to demanding, dangerous whitewater. River rapids are graded like ski runs according to the difficulty, danger or...
. Local fishing is also popular, with the most common species being smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
The smallmouth bass is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of the order Perciformes. It is the type species of its genus...
, channel catfish
Channel catfish
Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, is North America's most numerous catfish species. It is the official fish of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Tennessee, and is informally referred to as a "channel cat". In the United States they are the most fished catfish species with approximately 8...
, and northern pike
Northern Pike
The northern pike , is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox...
. Public access to the Platte River is limited. A county canoe trail was proposed in 2001, and the city of Platteville offers several parks and trails.
Conservation
The regional importance of agriculture is reflected in the fact that cattle outnumber people in the area nearly 4 to 1. Farming's effect on natural resources in the watershed is described by the Wisconsin DNRWisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is an agency of the state of Wisconsin. Its purpose is to preserve, protect, manage and maintain the natural resources of the state. The WDNR has the authority to set policy for itself and to recommend regulations for approval by the State Legislature...
: "Approximately 8.6 tons per acre per year of soil is lost from farm fields in the watershed. This watershed ranked second in the county as a 'priority area for erosion control.' DNR staff believe runoff from barnyards and feedlots, particularly in some headwaters areas, to be a severe problem in this watershed." According to a 2001 report, the main environmental issues are nonpoint source pollution
Nonpoint source pollution
Nonpoint source pollution refers to both water and air pollution from diffuse sources. Nonpoint source water pollution affects a water body from sources such as polluted runoff from agricultural areas draining into a river, or wind-borne debris blowing out to sea. Nonpoint source air pollution...
in the forms of agricultural and urban runoff; soil erosion; mine waste; and a decline in the smallmouth bass population. The rivers empty into Pool 11 of the Mississippi River and are a major source of sediment. In 1997, the sedimentary discharge was estimated at 182 tons per square mile per year. In addition, Grant County has many abandoned galena
Galena
Galena is the natural mineral form of lead sulfide. It is the most important lead ore mineral.Galena is one of the most abundant and widely distributed sulfide minerals. It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system often showing octahedral forms...
mines that are cited as sources of pollution.
In addition to the DNR, local citizen groups are addressing conservation issues. The Friends of the Platte River, Inc. bills itself as a "group that exists to serve as a forum to address issues affecting the Platte/Little Platte River watershed and to seek impartial solutions that restore, enhance, and protect this valuable resource." Friends of the Platte River website