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This article is about the river in the U.S. state of Illinois. For other rivers with this name see Illinois River (disambiguation)The Illinois River, as seen from Starved Rock
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 273 miles (439 km) long, in the state of Illinois in the United States. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of 40,000 square miles ( 104,000 kmē). The river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route connecting the Great Lakes with the Mississippi. The colonial settlements along the river formed the heart of the area known as the Illinois Country. After the construction of a canal in the 19th century, the river's role as link between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi was extended into the era of modern industrial shipping.
1 Description
It is formed by the confluence of the Kankakee and Des Plaines rivers in western Grundy County, approximately 10 mi (16 km) southwest of Joliet. It west across northern Illinois, passing MorrisMorris is a city located in Grundy County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 11,928. It is the county seat of Grundy County 6. Morris is home to the Dresden nuclear power plant, which provides a substantial portion of the and OttawaOttawa is a city located in La Salle County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 18,307. It is the county seat of La Salle County 6. Geography Ottawa is located at 41°20'50" North, 88°50'32" West (41. 347118, -88. According, where it is joined by the Fox RiverThe Fox River is a tributary of the Illinois River in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois in the United States. The river starts near Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin and flows past Waukesha, for a total of 70 miles (110 km) in Wisconsin. The river enters Illi. At La SalleLa Salle is a city located in La Salle County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 9,796. La Salle lies in norther Illinois, on the Illinois River, opposite Peru. Planned in 1837, La Salle's industries include zinc products it is joined by the Vermillion River , then flows west past PeruPeru is a city located in La Salle County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 9,835. Geography Peru is located at 41°20'4" North, 89°7'39" West (41. 334458, -89. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a, and Spring ValleySpring Valley is a city situated on the Illinois River in Bureau County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 5,398. Geography Spring Valley is located at 41°19'38" North, 89°12'3" West (41. 327154, -89. According to the Uni. In southeastern Bureau CountyBureau County is a county located in the U. State of Illinois. As of 2000, the population is 35,503. Its county seat is Princeton, Illinois 6. Geography According to the U. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,262 kmē (873 miē). 2,250 kmē (869 it turns south, flowing southwest across western Illinois, past LaconLacon is a city located in Marshall County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,979. It is the county seat of Marshall County 6. Geography Lacon is located at 41°1'26" North, 89°24'28" West (41. 023904, -89. According to and downtown Peoria, the chief city on the river.
South of Peoria it is joined by the Mackinaw River and then passes through the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge . Opposite Havana it is joined by the Spoon River . Opposite Browning it is joined by the Sangamon River. It is joined by the La Moine River approximately 5 mi (8 km) southwest of Beardstown.
South of its confluence with the La Moine, it turns south, flowing roughly parallel with the Mississippi across southwestern Illinois. It is joined by the Macoupin River on the border between Greene and Jersey counties, approximately 15 mi (24 km) upstream from its confluence with the Mississippi.
For the last 20 mi (32 km) of its course, it is separated from the Mississippi by only 5 mi (8 km). It joins the Mississippi near Grafton, approximately 25 mi (40 km) northwest of downtown St. Louis and approximately 20 mi (32 km) upstream from the confluence of the Missouri and the Mississippi.
