The Coulee Region is a common local named for La Crosse, WI and its surrounding area in Southwest Wisconsin. It includes the entirety of La Crosse, Vernon and Monroe Counties and sometimes portions of Northwest Wisconsin including Trempealeau and Jackson Counties. The name "Coulee" derives from the French "couler" meaning to flow and refers to the Mississippi River and various other rivers and streams flowing through this portion of the Driftless Area.