Meet the Brunsweiler, Mukwonago, and Pecatonica Rivers
Recognize these Rivers?
Take a moment to meet some of Wisconsin’s most remarkable rivers. We’ll be sharing images and fun facts in this ongoing “Meet a River” series. Is there a river you’d like to see featured? Email us today at [email protected].
Meet the Brunsweiler River
Do you know this river? Located in Ashland County, the Brunsweiler River runs through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. In 2009, a portion of this river was designated as a state wild river in honor of the late conservationist Martin Hanson. A native of the area, Hanson cared deeply about achieving protected status for the Brunsweiler River. Check out this video for more on Hanson’s legacy of protecting Wisconsin’s wild places.
(Photo Credit: Travis Bartnick)
Meet the Mukwonago River
Home to over 50 different species of fish, the Mukwonago River is an incredible example of diversity for a waterway of its size. It is the only stream in the state that is home to all three species of Killifish (including the endangered Starhead Topminnow). Additionally, the Mukwonago is home to a large variety of waterfowl, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater mussels, insects, and aquatic plants.
In the early 2000s, the international Nature Conservancy Wetlands Network selected the Mukwonago River as one of three global focus sites – the other two being the Amazon River and the Great Salt Lake Marsh. The Friends of the Mukwonago River work to protect and preserve this amazing, well-known river.
(Photo Credit: Tyler Cocanour)
Meet the Pecatonica River
Shown here during a late winter paddle this March, the Pecatonica River flows 194 miles through southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, where it empties into the Rock River in Rockton. The name “Pecatonica” comes from Algonquin words “pekaa” and “niba,” together meaning “slow water.”
While it is well-known for being a muddy river due to the rich, black soils of the region, the “Pec” is also a hotspot for spotting sandhill cranes. Near Mineral Point, the Pecatonica Woods State Natural Area is home to an endangered wildflower, “fire pink,” which is not known to grow anywhere else in the state.
(Photo by Miles Paddled)