RockRiverSweep.org

Rock River
In
Wisconsin & Illinois
By Frank Masterman – March 17, 2010

Whether it be called a river, a stream, a creek, or a brook;
by definition, they are all classified as streams.

The Rock River has its origins northwest and southeast of the Horicon Marsh located in southeastern Wisconsin, just above Horicon. The East Branch of the Rock River sets out in an easterly direction before curving northward and ultimately westward to enter the marsh on its east side. The West Branch and South Branch enter the marsh from the northwest. These combined waters converge in the marsh, forming the Rock River, which in turn exits the marsh at its southernmost tip in Horicon.

As the river wends its way from Horicon toward Janesville, it passes through the Wisconsin communities of Hustisford, Watertown, Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, and brushes by Johnson Creek and Edgerton. Along the way, Sinissippi Lake is formed, Hahns Lake lies off the west bank at Grellton, and Lake Koshkonong emerges at the southwest corner of Jefferson County. Leaving Janesville, the Rock visits Beloit before moving on into Illinois at South Beloit.

The communities of Rockton, Roscoe, Machesney Park and Loves Park join the list of places the Rock passes through on its way to Rockford. As the southbound current flows, it increases continually from the numerous tributaries merging with it along the way. Reaching Byron it regains its southwesterly direction, nodding to Oregon on the way through, taking a grand detour back to the north at Grand Detour, IL and passes through Dixon, awaiting the chance to share its waters with the Hennepin Canal through the Hennepin Feeder Canal at Rock Falls. Sterling lies on the opposite bank to the north and after splitting its course to allow Lawrence Park to stand high and dry below the lower dam in these twin cities, it just keeps up the winding flow, touching the shores of Lyndon on one bank and Prophetstown on the opposite bank a little ways downstream.

From there, the Rock takes a little breather from mankind and makes its way toward the Quad Cities area, passing through farmland for the most part until it encounters Cleveland on the south shore a short distance before reaching the communities of East Moline, Moline, Milan, and finally greeting Rock Island, only to say good-bye soon thereafter and join forces with the Mighty Mississippi.

This continuous flow of water covers a distance of approximately 285 miles in its quest to merge with the waters of the upper Mississippi River.