Middle Fork Vermilion River

The Middle Fork of the Vermilion River is a tributary of the Vermilion River (Wabash River) in Illinois. The Middle Fork rises in Ford County and flows southeast to join the Vermilion near Danville.[2]

Middle Fork Vermilion River
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationConfluence of a drainage ditch and Prairie Creek in Ford County southeast of Paxton, Illinois
 • coordinates40°24′15″N 88°01′05″W / 40.4042016°N 88.0180938°W / 40.4042016; -88.0180938 (Middle Fork Vermilion River origin)
Mouth 
 • location
Confluence with the Salt Fork forming the Vermilion River west of Danville, Illinois
 • coordinates
40°06′13″N 87°43′02″W / 40.1036474°N 87.7172458°W / 40.1036474; -87.7172458 (Middle Fork Vermilion River mouth)
 • elevation
535 ft (163 m)
Length77 mi (124 km)
Discharge 
 • locationOakwood, Illinois
 • average416 cu/ft. per sec.[1]
Basin features
ProgressionMiddle Fork → Vermilion → Wabash → Ohio → Mississippi → Gulf of Mexico
GNIS ID413502
TypeScenic
DesignatedMay 11, 1989
Baby softshell surveys a bar on the Middle Fork
Bald eagle on nest, spring 2011

In its natural state, the Middle Fork drained a large upland marsh in what is now Ford County. The Middle Fork has been extended into the marsh by drainage ditches. Including the ditches, the Middle Fork is about 77 miles (124 km) long.[3]

Parks and access points edit

The Middle Fork is Illinois' only designated National Wild and Scenic River. Parks and access points include:

Cities, towns and counties edit

The following cities, towns and villages are among those in the watershed of the Middle Fork:

Parts of the following counties are drained by the Middle Fork:

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "USGS Current Conditions for USGS 03336645 MIDDLE FORK VERMILION RIVER ABOVE OAKWOOD, IL".
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Middle Fork Vermilion River
  3. ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map Archived 2012-03-29 at the Wayback Machine, accessed May 19, 2011

External links edit