Black River
The Black River rises in Taylor County and flows southwest to La Crosse, where it enters the Mississippi through Lake Onalaska. Its name comes from the tannin-stained water.
Course of the river, simplified. Labeled dots are towns on or near the river. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Where the Black River flows
The river runs through or along these 6 counties: Clark County; Jackson County; La Crosse County; Monroe County; Taylor County; Trempealeau County.
Towns and cities within about 2 miles of the river, by county:
- Clark County Greenwood, Neillsville
- Jackson County Black River Falls
- La Crosse County Onalaska
- Taylor County Medford
Counties from U.S. Census boundaries, places from a public U.S. cities list. Small communities may be missing.
River facts
| Length | About 190 miles |
|---|---|
| Source | Taylor County, near Rib Lake |
| Mouth | Mississippi River at La Crosse, through Lake Onalaska |
| Main tributaries | East Fork Black River, Little Black River |
Impoundments on the river include Lake Arbutus, the Black River Dam at Black River Falls and Lake Onalaska, which has absorbed the river's lower 10 miles.
Lakes and flowages on the Black River
Lakes in our guide on or connected to this river:
Source: Black River (Wisconsin) (Wikipedia)