ABOUT THE WATERSHED
From its headwaters near Waukesha, Wisconsin, the Fox River drains 938 square miles in southeastern Wisconsin prior to entering Illinois.
Between the McHenry County/Wisconsin border and its junction with the Illinois River near Ottawa, the river runs for 115 miles and drains an additional 1,720 square miles. Although it is only 3% of the total area in Illinois, the watershed is home to nearly 1 million people; a number that is likely to increase in the coming years.
The Fox River is a multi-purpose resource that contributes critical habitat for wildlife, serves as a valuable resource for recreation, receives and assimilates pollutants from point and non-point sources and provides source water for public water supplies. Habitat modifications may also play a significant role in the dynamics of the river. Because of the rapid pace of development in the Fox River watershed, maintaining these resources requires comprehensive planning.
View Large PDF map showing sub-watersheds here
View Map of FRSG study area here
