Peshtigo River
The Peshtigo River in Stephenson
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationArgonne, Wisconsin
 • coordinates45°40′10″N 88°48′48″W / 45.66944°N 88.81333°W / 45.66944; -88.81333[1]
Mouth 
 • location
Green Bay (Lake Michigan) near Peshtigo, Wisconsin
 • coordinates
44°58′25″N 87°39′20″W / 44.97361°N 87.65556°W / 44.97361; -87.65556
 • elevation
577 ft (176 m)
Length136 mi (219 km)

The Peshtigo River (/ˈpɛʃtɪɡoʊ/ PESH-ti-go) is a 136-mile-long (219 km)[2] tributary of Green Bay in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The Peshtigo Fire happened in the river's vicinity, and some survivors used the river for refuge from the flames. A section of whitewater on the river called the Roaring Rapids is well known in the region. Further downstream there are two dams known as Caldron Falls Dam and High Falls Dam before collecting the Thunder River.

Geography

U.S. Route 41 bridge over the Peshtigo River in Peshtigo

The Peshtigo River is formed in Forest County and flows southeasterly towards the bay of Green Bay, spending most of its time winding through Marinette County.[3][4]

History

It shares its name with the city of Peshtigo, which was destroyed by the Peshtigo Fire on October 8, 1871. The fire was the deadliest fire in the history of the United States. According to stories of survivors, many people fled for the river to escape the inferno.[5][6]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Peshtigo River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map, accessed December 19, 2011
  3. ^ USGS Real-Time Water Data for USGS 04067958 PESHTIGO RIVER NEAR WABENO, WI
  4. ^ The Peshtigo River
  5. ^ firebooks.htm
  6. ^ WER: The Great Peshtigo Fire [3]


Categories