Manitowish River

Last updated
Manitowish River
ManitowishRiver-2015-03-18.JPG
Manitowish River near the historic Six Pause Portage.
Physical characteristics
Source 
  coordinates 46°08′10″N89°34′56″W / 46.1360608°N 89.582093°W / 46.1360608; -89.582093
Mouth  
  coordinates
46°04′34″N90°01′47″W / 46.0760598°N 90.0296054°W / 46.0760598; -90.0296054 Coordinates: 46°04′34″N90°01′47″W / 46.0760598°N 90.0296054°W / 46.0760598; -90.0296054
  elevation
1,575 feet (480 m)

The Manitowish River is a river in Vilas County and Iron County in the state of Wisconsin in the United States. Its source is Fishtrap Lake near Boulder Junction. The conjunction of the Manitowish River and the Bear River is the source of the north fork of the Flambeau River. Historically the Manitowish River was an important part of an extensive network of canoe routes linked by short land portages, used by the Ojibwe and fur traders. [1] In modern times the river and the lakes it connects are popular recreational waterways.

By some early accounts Manitowish is derived from a reference to the Ojibwe word for spirit or evil spirit. [2] However the precise origin and meaning of the word is in some dispute. [3]

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References

  1. Wurl, Jon G. (2013). "The 1847 geological survey trip of J. G. Norwood, MD". Tomahawk Area Historical Society. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  2. Stennett, William H. (1908). A history of the Origin of the Place Names Connected With the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. Chicago. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  3. Vogel, Virgil J. (1991). Indian Names on Wisconsin's Map. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. Retrieved March 19, 2015.

U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Manitowish River