Vermilion River (Illinois River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vermilion River |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of the North Fork and South Fork, Avoca Township, Livingston County, Illinois 40°49′11″N 88°30′29″W / 40.8197559°N 88.5081124°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with the Illinois River, Oglesby, Illinois 449 ft (137 m) 41°19′10″N 89°04′04″W / 41.319479°N 89.0678602°W |
| Length | 75 mi (121 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Vermilion River → Illinois → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico |
| GNIS ID | 424127 |
The Vermilion River is a 74.8-mile-long (120.4 km) tributary of the Illinois River in the state of Illinois, United States. The river flows north, in contrast to a second Vermilion River in Illinois, which flows south to the Wabash River. The Illinois and Wabash rivers each have a tributary named the Little Vermilion River as well.
The north-flowing Vermilion River and the south-flowing Middle Fork Vermilion River run on what is close to a straight line between Oglesby and Danville. In presettlement times, the two rivers drained an upland marsh near Roberts. It is possible that early settlers regarded these as a single river that flowed in two directions. It is also possible that, in early settlement times, these rivers formed a canoe route between the Illinois River and Wabash River, with a portage through the marshes near Roberts. This may explain why the two rivers have the same name.
The north-flowing Vermilion flows in a northerly direction from its origin in Livingston and Ford counties in north central Illinois, eventually emptying into the Illinois River, near Oglesby. Perhaps it is best known for its stretch of whitewater between Lowell and Oglesby, Illinois, which is one of few found in Illinois.
Cities and towns
The following cities and towns are drained by the Vermilion:
Counties
The following counties are drained at least in part by the Vermilion River:
Parks and access points
- Matthiessen State Park
- Sandy Ford Nature Preserve
Play Park, Pontiac
Humiston Woods
Township park
