About Our Nippersink Watershed
The Nippersink Watershed
Nippersink Creek is the largest tributary of the Fox River in the state of Illinois. The Nippersink Creek Watershed encompasses about 202 square miles, of which roughly 50 square miles are located within the State of Wisconsin. (above photo taken at Glacial Park by local photographer Ray Mathis.)
The western edge of the Nippersink Creek watershed is formed by the Marengo Ridge moraine, which forms a major watershed divide between the Fox River/Illinois River system and the Kishwaukee River/Rock River system. From its headwaters in northwest AldenTownship of McHenry County, Nippersink Creek flows generally to the southeast to Wonder Lake, and then east towards the Fox River/Chain O’Lakes. Nippersink Creek joins the Chain O’Lakes near US Route 12, roughly at the point where Nippersink Lake connects with Pistakee Lake. The North Branch of Nippersink Creek drains areas of Walworth County and Kenosha County in Wisconsin before joining the main channel between Richmond and Spring Grove.
What is a watershed?
A watershed is a basin-like landform defined by highpoints and ridgelines that descend into lower elevations and stream valleys. A watershed carries water "shed" from the land after rain falls and snow melts. The Nippersink Creek Watershed, as shown below, encompasses over 200 square miles of land in northeast McHenry County, as well as portions of Kenosha County and Walworth County in Wisconsin.
Any precipitation that falls into the area bounded in red will generally flow downhill to towards Nippersink Creek, and eventually towards the Fox River. While some of this precipitation will evaporate before reaching a stream, or infiltrate into the ground, the majority of the runoff from precipitation is flowing through the creeks of the Nippersink Watershed.
Which Nippersink watershed do I live in?
For planning purposes, watersheds are often broken down into smaller units, called “subwatersheds”. As land use issues and conditions can vary widely across a watershed, the use of “subwatersheds” as planning units can allow more of a localized focus on potential water quality issues and solutions.
The map shown below will let you roughly approximate where in the Nippersink Creek Watershed your property is located.
Visit our Plan page to view and download the report and maps for your subwatershed.
Visit our Plan page to view and download the report and maps for your subwatershed.
Subwatersheds of Nippersink Creek Watershed
