Indiana is river rich. The entire southern border is the Ohio River (as is part of the eastern border), and more than a third of the western border is the Wabash River. The Ohio River carries much of the commerce in the middle of the country. The November 7, 1811, Battle of Tippecanoe, fought along the Tippecanoe River (then called Keth-tip-pe-can-nunk) had far-lasting implications with Native American policy and the approaching conflict known as the War of 1812.
The state song, On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away, was designated in 1913. Many other songs have been written about the Wabash River, and performed by such artists as Johnny Cash, John Hiatt, Kate Smith, and Bing Crosby.
Despite the importance of rivers to Indiana's history and economy, there are no designated wild and scenic rivers out of the state's approximate 35,673 miles of rivers.
Indiana's Natural, Scenic, and Recreational River System designates sections of three rivers—Blue River, Cedar Creek, and Wildcat Creek. The Blue River is the only one of the three designated streams to have a River Commission.