Platte River (Wisconsin)
| Platte River | |
| River | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Wisconsin |
| Part of | Mississippi River |
| Source | |
| - coordinates | 42°57′56″N 90°25′25″W / 42.9655°N 90.4235°W |
| Secondary source | |
| - coordinates | 42°57′28″N 90°24′58″W / 42.9579°N 90.4161°W |
| Source confluence | |
| - coordinates | 42°56′59″N 90°26′47″W / 42.9497°N 90.4464°W |
| Mouth | |
| - coordinates | 42°36′43″N 90°39′54″W / 42.612°N 90.665°WCoordinates: 42°36′43″N 90°39′54″W / 42.612°N 90.665°W |
| Length | 47.25 mi (76 km) |
| Basin | 197.74 sq mi (512 km2) |
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.
The name Platte is derived from the French meaning "flat" or "shallow".
The Platte River rises near Montfort 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 (68 km) to the southwest about 2 miles (3 km) west of Paris.
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 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.
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Wikipedia