Illinois River
Peoria's flowing neighbor
The Illinois River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River, flowing approximately 273 miles through central Illinois.
It was historically a crucial waterway for Native American trade and later for European exploration and commerce in the American interior.
The river connects Lake Michigan to the Mississippi via a system of canals and remains an important route for barge traffic carrying grain and other commodities.
A separate, smaller Illinois River flows through Oklahoma and Arkansas into the Arkansas River.
- PeoriaCentral Illinois river city
- channelPassage for transmission
- French explorersGallic discoverers of lands
- bankPlace holding deposits
- tributaryStream entering larger river
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