• Jo Daviess County showcases several rivers and lakes.lake image by david hughes from Fotolia.com
  
  Jo Daviess County, located in northwestern Illinois, is part of the Driftless Area, a geographic area located in the region west of the Great Lakes. As the glaciers of the last major Ice Age retreated, no debris from this retreat, known as drift, was left behind here. With the river valleys and depressions left uncovered by drift, Jo Daviess County boasts several lakes and rivers.
  
  

Apple River

• The Apple River runs for about 40 miles through southern Wisconsin and northwestern Illinois. As it flows through Jo Daviess County, it joins two of its tributaries, the South Fork and West Fork Apple Rivers. In Apple River State Park, it runs through Apple River Canyon, a deep canyon that was left behind when glaciers retreated from the area.
  
  

Lake Galena

• A 225-acre lake that was formed in 1974 after the damming of Smallpox Creek, Lake Galena rests in the private community of The Galena Territory. The Association operates a marina and fishing area on the shore of the lake, as well as keeping the lake well stocked with sport fish.
  
  

Mississippi River

• The Mississippi River borders the western part of Jo Daviess County.KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA image by Tammy Vanourny from Fotolia.com
  
  Bordering Jo Daviess County to the west, the Mississippi River is the largest river in North America.The stretch of river as it passes the county is the part Savanna District of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The refuge offers many protected stands of hardwood forest and wetlands, and provides a home for many rare fish and land species.
  
  

Galena River

• A tributary of the Mississippi River, the Galena River is also known as the Fever River. The river was used as a shipping route during a mineral rush in the county in the 1800s. As silt grew in the river bottom, the river began to flood the town of Galena and floodgate was installed. Today, it flows through downtown Galena and boasts a popular hiking trail that follows its route through the town.
  
  

Apple Canyon Lake

• Apple Canyon lake is a man-made lake on the Apple River that belongs to a private community. Created from a damming of the Apple River, the lake offers a marina and beach, as well as a members-only bass fishing club.