The Wisconsin River, the longest river entirely within its namesake U.S. state at approximately 430 miles (692 km), is a vital tributary of the Mississippi River. Its name, "Meskousing," was first recorded by Jacques Marquette in 1673, likely stemming from a Miami word meaning "river running through a red place." The river's dramatic landscape was shaped over millennia by glacial activity, notably with meltwater carving the picturesque Dells of the Wisconsin River around 18,000 years ago. Historically, it was crucial for transportation and the lumber industry, with loggers driving timber and floating boards to markets as far as St. Louis. Today, the river remains important, generating hydroelectric power through its many dams and serving as a popular destination for fishing, boating, and sightseeing, teeming with diverse wildlife.