Chippewa River (Wisconsin)

The Chippewa River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River in west-central Wisconsin, United States. Originating in the Chippewa LAKES region of northern Wisconsin, the river flows generally southwestward for approximately 183 miles (295 km) before joining the Mississippi River near Wabasha, Minnesota.

The river's name is derived from the Chippewa (Ojibwe) Native American tribe who historically inhabited the area. The Chippewa River played a significant role in the logging industry of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, serving as a primary transportation route for timber harvested from the surrounding forests. Massive log drives, organized efforts to float millions of logs downstream to sawmills, were a common sight on the Chippewa during this era.

Significant dams along the Chippewa River include the Chippewa Falls Dam, the Holcombe Flowage Dam, and the Wissota Dam, which create reservoirs used for hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and flood control. These dams have also significantly altered the river's natural flow regime and ecological characteristics.

Major cities and towns located along the Chippewa River include Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, and Durand. The river and its surrounding watershed provide habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, bald eagles, and various waterfowl. Recreation opportunities on the Chippewa River include fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. The river is managed for both its natural resources and its recreational potential.