Thornapple River is a river in Sawyer and Rusk counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin.

The Thornapple rises in northeast Sawyer County in the Chequamegon National Forest at 45°56′21″N 90°45′29″W / 45.93917°N 90.75806°W / 45.93917; -90.75806 (Thornapple River (source)).^[1] It flows primarily south-southwest into the Chippewa River near Bruce at 45°27′40″N 91°15′09″W / 45.46111°N 91.25250°W / 45.46111; -91.25250 (Thornapple River (mouth)).^[1]

Among the tributaries of the Thornapple, there are two streams named Little Thornapple River. One is a right-side tributary entirely within Sawyer County near the boundary with Rusk County, flowing from 45°40′17″N 90°52′31″W / 45.67139°N 90.87528°W / 45.67139; -90.87528 (Little Thornapple River (source)) primarily to the west and slightly south into the Thornapple River at 45°39′09″N 90°58′52″W / 45.65250°N 90.98111°W / 45.65250; -90.98111 (Little Thornapple River (mouth)).^[2] The other Little Thornapple River is a left-side tributary that rises in southern Sawyer County at 45°38′30″N 91°01′39″W / 45.64167°N 91.02750°W / 45.64167; -91.02750 (Little Thornapple River (source)), less than 2 miles (3.2 km) west-southwest of the mouth of the other Little Thornapple River. The second Little Thornapple, flows primarily to the south and southwest into Rusk County and empties into the Thornapple River at 45°30′04″N 91°10′56″W / 45.50111°N 91.18222°W / 45.50111; -91.18222 (Little Thornapple River (mouth)), approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) from the mouth of the Thornapple near Bruce.^[3]

Recreation

Largely undeveloped, the river is a popular destination for canoeing and kayaking.^[4] Small rapids and good fishing conditions are attractions.

References