The Belle River is a 73.5-mile-long (118.3 km) river in the U.S. state of Michigan, flowing into the St. Clair River in Marine City at 42°42′25″N 82°29′50″W / 42.70694°N 82.49722°W / 42.70694; -82.49722 (Belle River (mouth)).
The North Branch Belle River rises out of Long Lake at 43°00′50″N 83°08′41″W / 43.01389°N 83.14472°W / 43.01389; -83.14472 (North Branch Belle River (source)) in section 22 of Attica Township in southeast Lapeer County. Long Lake is fed by the Long Lake Drain which drains marshy areas to the south of the lake. From Long Lake, the river flows eastward around the north side of Imlay City. It is fed by the Hunt, Pennell, and Clark Corner drains on the northeast of Imlay City and turns to the southward where it joins the main branch of the river at 42°59′31″N 83°03′57″W / 42.99194°N 83.06583°W / 42.99194; -83.06583 (North Branch Belle River (mouth)) near the intersection of I-69 and M-53.
The main branch of the Belle River rises in the south of Dryden Township at 42°53′54″N 83°07′50″W / 42.89833°N 83.13056°W / 42.89833; -83.13056 (Belle River (source)), in a marshy area near the boundary between Lapeer County and Oakland County. It flows mostly north and east until joined by the north branch, after which it flows mostly south and east into St. Clair County. It passes the north side of Memphis, then turns southeast and passes through the northeast corner of Macomb County. Interstate 94 crosses the river in the northeast corner of Casco Township. The river continues east by southeast through China Township and into East China Township, where it turns south less than a half mile from the St. Clair River and parallels the St. Clair for a few miles before its mouth in downtown Marine City.
The river's watershed drains portions of Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair counties.
Famous quotes containing the words belle and/or river:
“I generally avoid temptation unless I can’t resist it.”
—Mae West, U.S. screenwriter, W.C. Fields, and Edward Cline. Flower Belle Lee (Mae West)
“We approached the Indian Island through the narrow strait called “Cook.” He said, “I ‘xpect we take in some water there, river so high,—never see it so high at this season. Very rough water there, but short; swamp steamboat once. Don’t paddle till I tell you, then you paddle right along.” It was a very short rapid. When we were in the midst of it he shouted “paddle,” and we shot through without taking in a drop.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)