Located long the Wisconsin River, the "Wisconsin Dells" is both a geologic formation and a town named after the formation.
The river flows about 430 miles, from the forests of northern Wisconsin (near Michigan's Upper Peninsula) to the Mississippi River.
Because the river has been historically notorious for flooding, along its uneven path there are 21 reservoirs, and 25 hydroelectric plants, which control the river flow and water level.
The river flows past towns and through wilderness, creates plentiful recreational opportunities and preserves wildlife.
It is the largest river in Wisconsin, a state with a ballpark of 200+ rivers and tributaries.
But the true beauty of the Wisconsin River lies in a short five-mile stretch around the river's midpoint - it is here where the Dells are located.
The Dells of the Wisconsin River was first called the "dalles" (having to do with stone work) by French explorers in the 1700s, and the Anglican name ("dells") stuck.
While this may be able to describe a great number of similar landforms, it does not bring to mind an image of the Dells of the Wisconsin River.
Here, steep rocky cliffs as high as 100 feet border the famous five-mile stretch of water over the water's surface.
There are cliffs, steep cave-like paths, and islands jutting sharply out of the river.
These rocks, which appear to be layered, like sheets, on top of each other, are actually an alteration of soft and hard rock; many times soft enough to crumble with bare hands.
The formations are as fragile as they are beautiful.
Additionally, these dells are home to many unique plant and animal species including oak and pine trees that rarely appear together in nature.
The extremely rare cliff cudweed and certain kinds of dragonflies and birds can also be found in the area.
Because of the extremely fragile and unique ecosystem, the cliffs and much of the surrounding ecology became a State Natural Area in 1994 and thus are off-limits.
However, this does not preclude viewing of these unique landscape features from the Wisconsin River - certain tour companies are allowed to bring visitors into the Dells, generally by boat.
In short, the Dells are a unique rock formation found along this particular stretch of the Wisconsin River.
The river flows about 430 miles, from the forests of northern Wisconsin (near Michigan's Upper Peninsula) to the Mississippi River.
Because the river has been historically notorious for flooding, along its uneven path there are 21 reservoirs, and 25 hydroelectric plants, which control the river flow and water level.
The river flows past towns and through wilderness, creates plentiful recreational opportunities and preserves wildlife.
It is the largest river in Wisconsin, a state with a ballpark of 200+ rivers and tributaries.
But the true beauty of the Wisconsin River lies in a short five-mile stretch around the river's midpoint - it is here where the Dells are located.
The Dells of the Wisconsin River was first called the "dalles" (having to do with stone work) by French explorers in the 1700s, and the Anglican name ("dells") stuck.
While this may be able to describe a great number of similar landforms, it does not bring to mind an image of the Dells of the Wisconsin River.
Here, steep rocky cliffs as high as 100 feet border the famous five-mile stretch of water over the water's surface.
There are cliffs, steep cave-like paths, and islands jutting sharply out of the river.
These rocks, which appear to be layered, like sheets, on top of each other, are actually an alteration of soft and hard rock; many times soft enough to crumble with bare hands.
The formations are as fragile as they are beautiful.
Additionally, these dells are home to many unique plant and animal species including oak and pine trees that rarely appear together in nature.
The extremely rare cliff cudweed and certain kinds of dragonflies and birds can also be found in the area.
Because of the extremely fragile and unique ecosystem, the cliffs and much of the surrounding ecology became a State Natural Area in 1994 and thus are off-limits.
However, this does not preclude viewing of these unique landscape features from the Wisconsin River - certain tour companies are allowed to bring visitors into the Dells, generally by boat.
In short, the Dells are a unique rock formation found along this particular stretch of the Wisconsin River.
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