Black River (Mississippi River)

Black River
Black River dam in Black River Falls
Basin features
Main source	Central Wisconsin
River mouth	Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin 630 ft (190 m)
River system	Mississippi River
Physical characteristics
Length	190 miles (310 km)

The Black River is a river in west-central Wisconsin and tributary of the Mississippi River. The river is approximately 190 miles (310 km) long. During the 19th century, pine logs were rafted down the Black, heading for sawmills at La Crosse and points beyond.

The river begins in central Wisconsin, rising in Taylor County at 45°19′00″N 90°15′20″W / 45.31667°N 90.25556°W / 45.31667; -90.25556 (Black River (source)) approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km) west of the village of Rib Lake. It flows south-southwest through Medford, Greenwood, Neillsville and Black River Falls. The Black River first mingles with the Mississippi River in Lake Onalaska in the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The lower 10 miles (16 km) of the river channel have been absorbed by Lake Onalaska, an impoundment of the Mississippi River formed by Lock and Dam No. 7 at Onalaska. The river exits Lake Onalaska through a channel between French Island and the city of Onalaska and rejoins the Mississippi River at 43°49′12″N 91°15′26″W / 43.82000°N 91.25722°W / 43.82000; -91.25722 (Black River (mouth)), northwest of La Crosse.