A STATE WATER TRAIL GUIDE TO THE (includes the ) 27 11 20 Land of Memories Park to Sakatah State Trail On private land, the simple and Minneopa RiverSibley Park 22 17 best answer is, Ask First! Signs State Park 68 Lieberg 11 11 are posted by the landowners, Lake Hubbard MANKATO 22 House EAGLE 60 and they will state, “No 112 Trail 169 16 15 Trespassing,” or similar words in Williams County Park Minneopa LAKE 116 BLUE EARTH CO. 186 two-inch letters and the Creek 27 signature or name and telephone 113 60 169 South Route Red Jacket Trail 83 257 number of the landowner, lessee,Strom Lake or Mennenga 90 22 Lake Tr. SKYLINE manager. There can be civil and criminal penalties for 60 River 41 violation of the trespass laws. 20 169 Earth 28 30 5 66 Minneopa 33 Lion’s “Big Moe” 112 Co. 90 Bridge 16 Lake O A Vee glacial boulder 15 6 8 10 Memorial 34 Ft. Le Huillier WMA Emerson Trail 20 WMA Lily 41 BROWN CO. 6 Lake Lake Crystal Hwy 66 22 Co. 90 Wildwood 90 County WATONWAN CO. Jacket South Route Trail Blue Le Sueur Red 41 Park Robinson 10 28 House Loon rapids 33 River LAKE Lake RAPIDAN CRYSTAL Rapidan Bergdahl County Park 9 River Le Sueur 5 32 9 Rapidan Dam 5 8 25 SAINT WMA 20 Howard 16 Farm CLAIR 30 WPA Mills 60 Lake 34 Co. 8 Wilson 15 Lake 38 Co. 16 Victory Memorial 15 15 Fedji 83 15 Lake 66

130 169

32 8 177 177 28 10 MADELIA 20 5 James Gang Capture Memorial 13 13 County Fair 58 30 5 River Saiki 13 Hwy 169 River 116116 WMA 22 Rice 30 16 Lake GARDEN 34 Hammand 20 CITY Highway Trail 9 Garden 15 Duckhaven City Co. 16 WMA 25 10 16 Co. Rd. 20 10 133 Cobb Gage WMA Maple 15 Lincoln 30 32 WPA 28 60 Watonwan 25 13 WPA Watonwan River 15 66 20 15 Co. Rd. 32 10 30 GOOD 31 THUNDER BEAUFORD Case Lake 10 20 10 13 Tierney 134 16 20 10 Little WMA 9 20

10 Case 32 169 25 Lake 10 WMA Perch Perch Creek Lake Lake 60 26 Perch Maple Cobb River WPA River WPA 35 25 WMA 10 10 4 VERNON Cobb CENTER 1 MN Pheasants 10 WPA 4 30 Evans 20 Porter River Slough Lake 138 10

40 Maple WMA 15 22 20 52 30 30 9 Evans 45 19 Roberts Slough WPA WPA 146 50 10 25 35 Cottonwood Lake 18 18 LEWISVILLE River MAPLETON

Blue 30 Route Description for the Blue Earth River 169 21

NOTE: (R) and (L) represent right and left banks of the river when facing downstream. 1 George & Elizabeth 7 Lange WMA 22 104.0 County Road 6 bridge. Earth Ida Lake 35 Knights Lake 40 55 30 Pick Marsh 104.0-102.2 (R) City of Blue Earth 45 146 Pick WMA 102.1 West 7th Street bridge. 40 29 101.4 County Road 16 bridge. 30 30 AMBOY Maple 101.1-100.5 City of Blue Earth. Dodd Ford Bridge 30 50

98.8 Interstate 90 East bridge, Unity Trail. River 40 Daly County Park 98.5 Interstate 90 West bridge. 147 Rice River 1 97.4 County Road 8 bridge. 60

89.5 (L) Confluence of South Creek. Lake Creek 83.3 County Road 5 bridge. 169 36 22 81.0 (L) Confluence of Center Creek. 152 80.1 County Road 10 bridge. 1 7 55 40 Shelby 5478.8 (L) Confluence of Elm Creek. WPA Lura MINNESOTA 1 40 36 BLUE EARTH CO. 76.0 County Road 12 bridge. 65 46 16 LAKE 67.8 County Road 14 bridge. FARIBAULT CO. 15 Smith Minnesota 65.0 Blue Earth/Faribault County line. 17 52 WMA 60 19 Lake 60.2 County Road 147/Dodd Ford historic bridge. 14 57.5 State Highway 30 bridge. WPA 52.7 (L) Confluence of Willow Creek. 50 Bass 13 43.3-43.0 (L) City of Vernon Center. 70 Lake Rice Lake 65 42.9 U.S. Highway 169 bridge. (Winnebago) 18 42.6-42.5 (L) City of Vernon Center. 18 39.6-39.4 (L) City of Vernon Center. 39.3 County Road 10 bridge. 70 29.1 County Road 13 bridge. 25.2-24.3 (R) Gage Wildlife Management Area. Rice Lake 19.3 County Road 34 bridge. 169 Rice 15 13 17 16.2 (L) Confluence with Watonwan River. 75 Winnebago Area 19 21 12.1 County Road 9 bridge and city trail. 12 Museum Rice Lake 11.9 (L) Rapidan Dam, County Park, carry-in access and drinking water WMA Creek

below dam. Rice Lake #2 DELAVAN Elm WINNEBAGO 10.5 Small rapids. Creek 109 EASTON Charlotte 109 6.0 “Big Moe” glacial boulder. Hynes WMA 17 3.9 County Road 33 bridge. 10 2.8 County Road 90 bridge, trailer access and South Route Trail. 80 0.9-0.0 City of Mankato. Creek 11

0.8 U.S. Highway38 169 bridge. 0.0 Confluence with /Sibley Park with carry-in 10 15 Center Blue Prescott 19 access and drinking water. 85 WPA

1 Earth Route Description for the Watonwan River Creek South 13 34 Lane 169 32.5 County Road 116 bridge. WMA 90 City of Madelia. Carry-in Access Dam 32.5-30.0 5 31.8 (L) Carry-in access. River Trailer Access River Mile 31.7 County Road 58 bridge and Hammond32 Highway Trail. 95 State Highways 15 and 60 bridge. Park/Rest Area Rapids 30.8 11 26.5 Watonwan/Blue Earth 262County line. Drinking Water State Land Units 25.2 County Road 30 bridge. 8 90 8 19.0 (L) County Road 32 bridge, trailer access. 6 Fishing Pier City Boundary 53 90 13 18.5 (R) Confluence of Perch Creek. Lake Guckeen Unity Trail Campground W.M.A. Wildlife Management Area 13.5 (L) County Road 20 bridge, trailer access. 1 WMA City of 8.2 County26 Road 13 bridge. 100 Blue Earth Watercraft Campsite W.P.A. Waterfowl Production Area 5.2 (L) Highway 169 bridge, carry-in access. 6 11 16 BLUE Historic Site Water Trail 5.2-4.2 Garden City. 16 Garden City trailer access. EARTH 16 River 4.3 Outfitter Regional Trails Historic 16 4.2 Campground. Courthouse Earth Blue 3.9 (L) Carry-in access and public campground (fee). East 0.0 Confluence with Blue Earth River. 169 NORTH 6 Branch 13 STATE WATER TRAIL MAP A STATE WATER TRAIL GUIDE TO THE BLUE EARTH RIVER (includes the Watonwan River) Blue Earth River Includes the Watonwan River

The river got its name from the barely visible bluish-green clay deposits along the banks.

© Minnesota State University Mankato - Water Resources Center

The Blue Earth River Fishing along the Blue Earth River can also be especially after a rainfall. Extra care should be Planning A Safe River Trip Mississippi rewarding, with catfish as the main target for many taken in rapids to avoid swamping. Crow (N. Fork) 94 After the confluence with its West, Middle and anglers. Anglers can also find northern pike, A successful river trip is safe. To enjoy a safe Willmar 12 East branches, the Blue Earth River flows north for smallmouth bass, sauger, walleye and a variety of For paddlers interested in biking back to the journey, you should be prepared by acquainting 104 miles through Faribault County into Blue rough fish. Notable fishing spots for all of these trailer access, instead of using two vehicles, the yourself with your route. Choose a distance that is Minneapolis Earth County before ultimately joining with the species include the deeper pools below rapids and section of river downstream from the Rapidan Dam comfortable for you. Water levels can speed up or Minnesota River at Sibley and Land of Memories Rapidan Dam. has a 6-mile bike shuttle route, starting at the slow down your trip: get information about water parks in Mankato. County Road 90 trailer access site. levels from the regional DNR office, DNR website, The Blue Earth River flows through two main or DNR Information Center. 71 Minnesota The section of river most favored by paddlers geographical areas. The upper portion of the river Leave bikes at the County Road 90 access site Minnesota runs from the County Park at the Rapidan Dam flows through glacial till plains, which formed when (river mile 2.8). Drive to the Rapidan Dam access Protect the water and shorelands and leave (river mile 11.9 ) downstream to the confluence ice sheets broke off of a glacier and deposited site (river mile 11.9) and put in boats. After nothing behind you except footprints. Remember paddling, ride south along the scenic Red Jacket Cannon with the Minnesota River (river mile 0) at the edge sediments, rocks and boulders as they melted. The that much of the shorelands are privately owned. © Minnesota State University Mankato - Water Resources Center Trail to return to the Rapidan Dam. Cottonwood of Mankato. result for paddlers is a scenic stretch of river with boulders and minor rapids along its course. • Travel with a companion or group. Plan your This stretch flows northeast through a beautiful The paved off-road segment of the trail takes trip with a map before you depart and advise • Camp only in designated campsites, which

W atonwan Mankato Straight section of river, past the confluence with the Le The lower portion (to the north) goes through you back to just outside the town of Rapidan. From someone of your plans, including planned are available on a first-come, first-served Sueur River, which is one of the Blue Earth’s what was historically part of the Big Woods and has here take County Road 33 to Rapidan, then head departure and arrival times. basis. largest . since been converted mostly to farmland. west on the wide shoulder of County Road 9 back Des Moines 169 • Most people paddle two to three river miles • Drinking water has limited availability at rest Blue Earth 35 to the access site at Rapidan Dam. per hour. areas. Drinking river water is not Some paddlers choose to take out at County The river got its name from the barely visible recommended, if you do, it must be treated. Highway 90 to avoid the stretch that goes through bluish-green clay deposits along the banks. This Rating White Water • Bring a first-aid kit that includes waterproof 90 Mankato, but there are also public trailer accesses bluish-green coloring was used as a pigment by the matches. • Respect private property. Stop only at at Sibley Park and Land of Memories Park near the Dakota indians and also led French explorer Pierre Rivers and rapids are rated according to the • Be cautious of river obstructions, such as designated sites; much of the shoreland is confluence with the Minnesota River. Le Sueur to erroneously believe that there were International Scale of River Difficulty. Ratings are overhanging and dead trees in the river. private property. copper deposits in the area. estimates based on observations at low or moderate • Be sanitary! Use designated toilet facilities or Along this stretch there are some areas of water levels or on secondhand reports. • You must pack out all trash. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources bury human waste away from the river. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. special interest. At river mile 6, there is a huge Fort L’Huillier was established in 1700 near the • Leave only footprints; take only photographs! boulder in the middle of the river known by the mouth of the Blue Earth River, near what is now CLASS I. Easy rapids with small waves and few locals as “Big Moe”. Big Moe is the half-way point Mankato, as a staging point for the mining, but the obstructions. Sustainable Ecosystems between Rapidan Dam and the Minnesota River. Fort was abandoned just a year later. Outdoor recreation is dependent on a healthy CLASS II. Rapids with waves up to three feet and attractive natural environment. Sustainable This information is available in alternative The Rapidan Dam was built over the course of high. Some maneuvering is required. format upon request. eleven months in 1910. When it first started outdoor recreation enables people to enjoy the producing electricity, its 1500 kilowatts of power outdoors without negative impacts on the CLASS III. Difficult rapids with high, irregular environment. more than doubled the electrical capacity of waves capable of swamping an open canoe. Narrow Mankato. As a chutes may require Communities working together can improve Online water trail information and result, Mankato extensive maneuvering. water resources by promoting environmentally maps can be found at was ahead of Usually considered the sensitive land-use practices along rivers and mndnr.gov/watertrails much of the limit for an experienced throughout watersheds. nation in paddler in an open canoe. electrical power © MN DNR Natural shoreline buffers improve water quality generation, CLASS IV. Long, by filtering out pollutants and sediments. Healthy enabling it to turbulent rapids with and diverse native shoreline plant communities are grow as a attractive and provide important habitat for birds high, irregular waves, Boating Information DNR Information Center manufacturing constricted passages and and wildlife. The DNR’s Information Center is available to provide free “Big Moe ” © Minnesota State University Mankato - Water Resources Center publications of facilities and services as well as answers questions center. blind drops. Decked • Wear a U. S. Coast Guard-approved personal pertaining to DNR recreational opportunities in Minnesota. canoes and kayaks only; flotation device that state law requires to be This stretch is also known for small tributaries The dam’s open canoes should be on board the craft. 500 Lafayette Road that form picturesque waterfalls and gulches that overall length is St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 portaged. • Bring an extra paddle. 651-296-6157 Metro Area may be seen from the main channel during wet 475 feet and it is Natural 1-888-646-6367 MN Toll-Free periods of the year. Some of these features are on 87 feet high. The CLASS V. Long, violent • Not all portions of this water trail are suitable Shorelands private property, so please treat them with dam was for motor use. 40% evaporation mndnr.gov rapids with complex 10% runoff appropriate respect. renovated in © Minnesota State University Mankato - Water Resources Center routes and steep drops or • Register your watercraft. All watercraft more 1983, and while waterfalls. Hazard to life than 9 feet in length, including nonmotorized 50% infiltration Upstream of the Rapidan dam is the Gage showing its age, it in the event of a mishap. Runnable only by experts canoes and kayaks, must be registered in Altered State Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which is still produces power today. Shorelands in decked boats. Minnesota or your state of residence. 30% evaporation accessible only by water. This WMA has hunting, 55% runoff birding and wildlife watching opportunities for When putting in downstream of the Rapidan 15% infiltration Dam, be sure to stay clear of the dam itself. The CLASS VI. Cannot be attempted without great deer, small game, forest game birds, pheasant, risk to life. Rest Areas and Camping Sites waterfowl, turkeys and other birds. recirculating current below the dam can be deadly and is best avoided. While the rapids on the Blue • Public rest areas are available along the Cover photo: MN DNR Earth River are generally mild, it can move swiftly, route to rest, picnic and explore. © 2016 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources