The Ontonagon River is a 25-mile waterway in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that flows into Lake Superior.  It begins further south of the lake as several different branches.  The main river and each of these tributaries were designated a National Wild and Scenic River System on March 3, 1992. The Great Lakes region of the United States is one of the most scenic areas of the Northeast.  And the Ontonagon River is no exception.  The river system flows through the lush Ottawa National Forest, tumbles over several waterfalls, and cuts through tall sandstone cliffs.  This area is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the landlocked Atlantic, coho, and Chinook salmon of the Great Lakes.  Many people visit the area each year to enjoy its recreational opportunities. The area where the Ontonagon River enters Lake Superior is known for being "Copper Country."  In fact, in the mid-1800s, a 3,708-pound boulder made almost entirely of copper was discovered in the area.  It was purchased from local Native Americans and nicknamed the Ontonagon Boulder.  It was sent to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in 1843 and remains on display there to this day. When most Americans think of wild and scenic beauty, they think of the West.  The Ontonagon river is proof that the Northeast is home to areas just as impressive.