Red River (Illinois)

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The Red River is a tributary river in Woodford County, Illinois. Its headwaters are located southeast of Eureka, Illinois, and after draining several townships it flows into Panther Creek in Palestine Township. Soon afterwards, Panther Creek itself flows into the Mackinaw River near Congerville, Illinois.^[1]

The Red River's drainage pattern is an unusual example of a watercourse officially designated as a river flowing into and feeding a larger watercourse that is officially designated as a creek. Usually the etymology flows the other way: smaller creeks feed larger rivers.

The Red River of Illinois should not be confused with much larger Red Rivers that flow through or alongside Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas.