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Home , Blue Earth River, Flandrau State Park, Fort Ridgely, Minneopa State Park, Minnesota River

A STATE WATER TRAIL GUIDE TO THE RIVER ( Includes the Cottonwood and Watonwan Rivers) River 3 Sand Lake Carry-in Access River Mile Designated Public Lands Rush 70 5 2727 Windot Water Access Rapids 1818 Minnesota Valley 93 169 2828 175 4 W.M.A. Public Trails State Recreation Area 3939

SIBLEY CO. SIBLEY Rush River Unit RENVILLE CO. 2 Mud Rest Area Dam W.M.A. = Wildlife Management Area 16 2222 Mud Lake 10 Lake County 1515 Sigler 8 W.M.A. L Park #4 Watercraft Campsite Fishing Pier S.N.A. = Scientific and Natural Area e Sueu 8 Le Sueur 170 Clear Lake 3 No Facil. Campsite Parking r County Park 2424 8 Le Sueur SIBLEY CO. 75 RENVILLE CO. Clear NORTH NICOLLET CO. Campground Drinking Water 10 21 Lake NICOLLET CO. Rice . 2626 Hwy 4 2 Lake O Kettner’s 2727 7 C Lafayette Private Campground Outfitter Miles 165 0 12345 R 5 U 1 E Minn River Little W.M.A. DNR Office 0 12345 Kilometers Cr. 1 1818 LE SU 7 2020 2222 1616 Creek 10 21 Fry 8 Rock Mile 2222 5 4 1919 36 112 C 30 RIVER reek 4 MINNESOTA Creek Barney 80 Chamberlain 160 Harkin Eight Woods Store S.N.A. 7 CAUTION: 155 steep bank 1515 2222 26 Ottawa 8 St. George 7 1515 20 5 1515 23 21 r. Ottawa Horseshoe 150 Buessmann 1010 10 Lake NICOLLET CO. Bridge 111 Creek 169 Western Continuation of the Cottonwood River Huelskamp C 1919 Boesch 14 W.M.A. 145 5 Klossner 14 Cobden 29 BROWN CO Rogers 85 23 4 1.4 Miles 22 Cherry North . Creek Peterson 55 RIVER Fritsche Lake 4 Traverse 2020 1414 21 de C Fritsche 1515 Ottawa r 7 5 Duck Park eek Springfield Creek W.M.A. W.M.A. 1212 5 Lake 2 24 29 RIVER 5 Springfield 50 15 Swan Lake W.M.A. (Peterson Unit) 5 258 45 1111 13 Swan Lake W.M.A. Juenemann 24 Somsen 140 (Duck Lake Unit) W.M.A. P Goldsmith Lake Savidge Landing COTTONWOOD oor Farm Bay 1313 60 Swan Lake W.M.A. St. Peter Lake (Courtland Bay Unit) Swan Lake Essig 68 14 State Game 5 #6 23 3 NelsonRefuge Bay #1 Swan Lake W.M.A. Rosenau- 12 Minnecon ake 9999 Altermatt Anderson Peterson Cleveland Lake 1414 Lambrect 21 Gieske Ba L (Oshawa Unit) 68 Island Bay W.M.A. New Ulm Eckstein Sleepy Eye Riverside Park Swan Lake W.M.A. Riverside Park Lake Lake Swan Lake W.M.A. y Johnson Oakleaf Emily Creek 8 (Courtland East) Island (Tri-Island Supplement) 90 27 Middle Lake 68 27 Johnson 21 Dog Brooks Isl Swan Lake W.M.A. Co. Rd. 10 11 Bay Dog 2727 (Oakleaf Unit) Lake Cottonwood Swan Lake Swan Lake Little Lake 1313 18 Co.Rd. 11 Street W.M.A. W.M.A. Sleepy Eye 20 135 (Courtland ) 9999 Kasota reek a Shanaska C 10 Swan Lake nd Cobden Swan Lake W.M.A. Seven RIVER (Hackberry Point Unit) State Game Swan Lake 1414 12 Refuge #2 Hwy 15 Nicollet Bay W.M.A. Lake Flandrau 5 NICOLLET CO. Seven Mile (Larson Unit) 15 State Park 21 Creek Park 22 Emily 25 14 Swan Lake Mile 19 W.M.A. Nicollet Nicollet MINNESOTA East 25 130 Courtland Courtland Minnesota 21 Lake Washington 4 25 Clear Creek Bachelor Lake 13 Seven Mile Creek River County Park 8 35 Lake Swan Lake W.M.A. 1717 County Park 95 10 (Nicollet Creek Unit) 2323 1414 State Hwy 4 15 68 Cambria 25 Creek Game ake School L Cottonwood Refuge 30 Zanders Lake Lake LE SUEUR CO. Washington For continuation, COTTONWOOD 24 2424 Cambria 2 River 125 45 BLUE EARTH CO. George see inset above Lake Theden’s Little BROWN CO. 169 40 Landing 24 Cr. Wita Long

BLUE EARTH CO. EARTH BLUE Lake Gilman 25 Lake Lake Swan Lake W.M.A. 1212 Morgan (North Star Unit) 5 120 100 Co. Rd. 42 6 Gilfillan Lake Route Descriptions of the Minnesota, 1515 Benning W.M.A. 6 Swan Lake W.M.A. 12 2626 68 (Johnson Marsh Unit) Gilfillan Cottonwood & Watonwan Rivers 115 Sakatah Lake 6 1212 Eagle Judson 41 Miles NOTE: (R) and (L) represent right and left banks of the river when facing downstream. 13 Trail Minneopa Riverfront Park 14 22 State North Mankato 14 Singing Hills 170.7-169.0 (L) Mack Lake County Park. (Renville #4). Access and 88.5 (L) #6 water access and campsite. 42 20 3 L watercraft campsite at 170.6 88.4 State Hwy 99 bridge. Land of ake 2727 110 Memories Park 167.4 (L&R) Kettner water access R/Kettner Campsite L. 86.8 (L) Campsite. State Sibley 164.4 State Highway 4 bridge. 86.0 (L) City Park, carry in access. 2020 1111 Park 1414 164.4 (L) State Highway 4 water access/Minnesota River 84.4 (L) Rogers Creek . 2020 11 41 105 1717 1717 68 Park W.M.A.. 83.6 (R) Cherry Creek confluence. Mankato Eagle 158.6 Hinderman bridge remnants. 82.0 (R) Ottawa water access. Armstrong 11 Minneopa Veteran’s Lake Bridge Lake 153.0 (L) Little Rock Creek confluence. 82.0 (R) City of Ottawa. Hanska Lieberg Creek State Lake Park 152.0 (L) Harkin Store carry-in access. CAUTION: steep bank. 80.4-78.9(R) Chamberlain Woods S.N.A. 69 South 33 151.2 (L) Eight Mile Creek confluence. 77.4 (L) Barney Fry Creek confluence. 60 Strom Bend rail 148.4-156.8 Skyline T 83 (R) Boesch W.M.A.. 74.2 (L) State Hwy 93 Bridge/City of LeSueur water access & Lake Butternut 143.0 Buessmann Bridge (Co Rd. 14). rest area. 257257 2222 Rive 5 90 4141 Linden r Lion’s 143.0 (L) Buessmann Bridge water access. 71.6 State Hwy 169 bridge. Minneopa Wildwood Lake cket Lake 141.0 (L) Huelskamp Creek confluence. 70-69 (L) Minnesota Valley Rush River Wayside. 1919 Ja 30 Co. Park 1515 6 2020 Indian Lake Recreation Area Le Sueur O.A. Vee 2222 Rapids 140.3 (L) Fritsche Creek confluence, Fritsche Creek W.M.A.. Memorial W.M.A. Co. Rd. 90 Bridge 138.7 State Hwy. 15 bridge. Cottonwood River Miles 20 25 Emerson 8 138.5 (R) Minnecon Park water access. W.M.A. 4141 30 Lily Lake Rapids 2828 Crystal Lake th 33 138.0 (R) Riverside Park water access. 62.8 (R) Co. Rd. 2 bridge and Juenemann carry in access. r 166 BROWN CO. Hwy 66 35 136.3 Co. Rd. 37 bridge. 58.6 Co. Hwy. 3 bridge. Ea Red L 90 169 10 34 e Sueur South 90 Route Trail 135.8 (L) Eckstein water access. 56.4 (L) Springfield carry in access. WATONWAN CO. Lake Crystal 66 Rapids I Co. Rd. 90 Rive 133.6 DM & E Railroad “turnstyle” bridge. 56.1 Co. Hwy 5 bridge. Loon Rapidan Bergdahl Lake Co. Park 15 r 133.4 (R) Cottonwood River confluence. 50.2 Co. Hwy. 258 bridge. W.M.A. CO. EARTH BLUE 6 9 132.0 (L) Quartzite shore fishing area. 45.2 Co. Hwy. 7 bridge. Rapidan 5 River 128.0 (R) Co. Rd. 24 bridge/Courtland boat landing. 42.5 Co. Hwy. 8 bridge. 9 60 Mills Rapidan 10 127.2 (R) confluence. 34.5 Township 91 bridge. Wilson Co. Rd. 8 W.M.A. Howard Farm Lake 15 Dam St. Clair 126.7 (R) Morgan Creek confluence. 31.4 (L) State Hwy. 4 bridge and carry in access. Waterfowl Blue Co. Rd. 16 1515 126.0 (R) City of Cambria. 29.0 (L) Township bridge and Theden’s carry in access. Wilson Fedji 30 20 Production 38 125.8 (L) Cambria Campsite. 23.5 (L) Co. Rd. 10 bridge and carry in access. Lake Lake Area Rapids 116.6 (L) Swan Lake outlet. 16.8 (L) Co. Rd. 11 bridge and carry in access. Blue Earth 3 32 County Fair 35 8 116.0 (L) Co. Rd. 42 water access. 6.5 Co. Rd. 13 bridge. 20 5 116.0 (R) Co. Rd. 42 bridge - City of Judson. 6.5 - 4 . River 115.5-106 (R) boundary. 5.7 (L) Flandrau State Park carry in access. Madelia 107.9 (R) Minneopa Creek confluence. 3.1 (L) Cottonwood Street bridge and carry in access. Madelia Saiki 5 3 13 13 20 River W.M.A. 108.2 (R) Williams County Park, camping. 1.6 (L) State Hwy 15 bridge and carry in access. 50 Duckhaven Rice 13 W.M.A. 105.0 (R) Land of Memories Park water access/camping. 1.0 DM & E Railroad Trestle. Garden City 34 Lake 10 104.7 (R) confluence. 0.0 Confluence with Minnesota River. 45 WATON Co. Rd. 16 2828 104.6 (R) Sibley Park, carry in access. 13 9 30 25 66 1616 Hwy 169 25 Cobb 103.7 State Hwy 169 bridge. Miles th le 15 r Gage 35 22 102.9 Veterans Memorial bridge. WAN Garden Ea W.M.A. 10 Map 30 City 101.3 State Hwy 14 bridge. 47.6 (L) Watona City Park and Madelia carry in access. 133 1010 100.7-90.8 (R) East Minnesota River State Game Refuge. 46.5 State Hwy 60 bridge. 60 River 40 15 River 95.0 (L) Seven Mile Creek confluence. 41.2 Co. Rd. 30 bridge. RIVER 32 Co. Rd. 20 30 95.0 (L) Seven Mile Creek County Park. 35.0 (R) Co. Rd. 32 bridge and carry in access. e u Good 15 Beauford Bl 1010 94.7 (L) Seven Mile Creek Co. Park water access. 29.5 (R) Co. Rd. 20 bridge and water access. 31 Thunder 30 Cobb 92.8 (L) Swan Lake (Larson) W.M.A. 24.1 Co. Rd. 13 bridge. 9 1313 90.1 (R) Shanaska Creek confluence. 21.2 (L) State Hwy 169 bridge and carry in access. 35 20 1010 Little 20 89.7 (L) State Hwy 22 bridge and Riverside Park carry 20.4 (L) Garden City water access. 25 in access. 19.9 (L) Blue Earth County Fairgrounds carry in access. Co. 169 16.2 Confluence with Blue Earth River. Rd. 32 Perch 10 1010 1 39 Cobb Lake 60 W.M.A. River 2626 35 W.P.A. 1616

© 2014 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources 3 of 4 - Highway 4 to Le Sueur A STATE WATER TRAIL GUIDE TO THE MINNESOTA RIVER (Includes the Cottonwood and Watonwan Rivers) MINNESOTA A STATE WATER RIVER TRAIL Guide

“The scenery along the river is sometimes includes the Cottonwood and Watonwan Rivers muted, sometimes stunning, particularly in the fall

Minnesota State Parks and Trails mndnr.gov/watertrails The Minnesota River government of the . Soon thereafter, fellow Frenchmen and Chief Sleepy Eyes, left an Rest Areas and Camping Sites immigrants began to pour into the area. Just a few years encampment at Lake Hanska in Brown County and began Mille Lacs 23 later, in 1862, the United States and the Dakota went to war. heading toward Traverse des Sioux (at present day St. Lake The • Public rest areas are available along the route to rest, Kettle Mississippi There were numerous tragedies and atrocities on both sides Peter.) At about 9 a.m., they reached the Watonwan River. Rum Minnesota River is picnic and explore. during the conflict, named the Dakota Conflict, the hanging “At the spot where we crossed,” Nicollet wrote in his but a trickle • Camp only in designated campsites, which are of 38 Dakota Indians at Mankato being perhaps the most journal, “the Watonwan is nearly 60 feet wide, with a depth Snake compared to the available on a first-come, first-serve basis. haunting. of 3 feet. It’s waters are clear and navigation by canoe 23 W I huge and powerful • Bring drinking water. It is only available at a limited 94 St. sure....” The following day, Nicollet and his fellow travelers St. Cloud River S glacial River number of rest areas. Drinking river water is not 35 C River Still, settlement continued, the Minnesota River serving continued on, noting the beautiful and the “rocky 169 O Warren that carved recommended, but if you do it must be treated. N as a primary highway through the region. James Goodhue, and rapid Watonwan river...We took observations on the

Crow (N. Fork) Croix S out the wide valley • Respect private property. Stop only at designated 71 94 St. Paul’s first newspaper editor and the Minnesota valley’s junction of the Watonwan and Makato (Blue Earth River)” 12 I through which the sites; much of the shoreland is private property. N most enthusiastic public relations man, wrote that along, where the country is still more beautiful...” Willmar 12 Minnesota flows • Be sanitary! Use designated toilet facilities or bury St. Paul “the whole length of the fertile Minnesota, upon the waters today. Although human waste away from the river. of the Blue Earth, settlers have not only gone over, but have The Watonwan today is as lively and lovely as it was the state’s Minnesota River built houses and stables, and cleared lands, not dozens of back in Nicollet’s day, it’s banks blanketed by a mixture of 23 namesake river River settlers, or scores, or hundreds, but thousands of them...” bottomland trees. Although the river flows quickly at times, can still present a Cannon 61 the river’s gradient is low, only about 3.6 feet per mile. The danger to the Co t 71 52 most enjoyable portion for canoeists is from Madelia to its tonwood r careless, Cottonwood River Rive confluence with the Blue Earth River at Garden City, especially during approximately 30 miles distance. River Mankato times of snowmelt Watonwan Straight When Joseph N. Nicollet first came upon the Rochester or heavy rains, it is Des Moines 169 Cottonwood River near New Ulm in June of 1838, he was 35 most often found struck by its clarity. “The river is 120 feet wide and 4 to 6 Water levels can speed or slow you down. You can get in a rather placid feet deep at the camp. The water is so transparent that one 90 information about water levels from the regional DNR mood. can see many little objects at the bottom,” Nicollet wrote in office, or check the DNR website, or the DNR Information his journal. “It seems to be 10 feet deeper during . Center. Remember that much of the shorelands are privately Between State Highway 4 and Le Sueur, the river Left bank steep; boulders, clay, primitive sand, etc.” “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources owned. Respect and protect the water and shorelands. is an Equal Opportunity Employer” meanders through the some of the most fertile farmland in Minnesota, passing a number of historical sites along the Today, the Cottonwood River, a ribbon of weaving way. The river’s low banks are lined with willow, water flowing swift in some stretches, slowly in others, Boating Information This information is available in alternative cottonwood, maple, and basswood. Elm, white oak, hard slices through deep “drift” deposited by glaciers that format upon request. maple and cedar cloak the higher hills of the valley. The covered Minnesota more than 10,000 years ago. By the time • Register your watercraft. All watercraft more than 9 scenery along the river is sometimes muted, sometimes the river reaches Flandrau State Park at New Ulm, it has feet in length, including nonmotorized canoes and stunning, particularly in the fall when the valley erupts in a created a valley some 100 feet deep. kayaks, must be registered in Minnesota or your state Sustainable Ecosystems brilliant display of color. of residence. The canoeable portion of the river begins at Springfield GRANITE OBELISK BUILT IN 1896, DEDICATED TO THOSE WHO DEFENDED • Not all portions of this water trail are suitable for motor Outdoor recreation is dependent on a healthy and FT. RIDGLEY DURING THE DAKOTA CONFLICT IN 1862 Minnesota State Parks and Trails Wildlife abounds in the woodlands, grasslands, and ends when it empties into the Minnesota River near use. attractive natural environment. Sustainable outdoor marshes, and fields of the Minnesota River Area Office New Ulm, a distance of about 58 river miles. The steep recreation enables people to enjoy the outdoors without valley. Waterfowl, wild turkeys, deer, pheasant, beaver, slopes, carved out some 10,000 years ago, are today negative impacts on the environment. 261 Highway 15 South The Blue Earth River, from below the Rapidan Dam to mink, otters, hawks, owls, eagles, songbirds and shorebirds Canoeing on Large Rivers New Ulm, MN 56073 saturated with maple, basswood, and hackberry trees while its confluence with the Minnesota River at Sibley Park in 507-359-6000 keep the river’s travelers company. the sunny slopes are dotted with oak and red cedar. Communities working together can improve water Mankato, offers some of the most scenic and interesting The wide variety of waters can provide an equally wide canoeing in the area. resources by promoting environmentally sensitive land use Online water trail information and French fur traders discovered the river in the 1600s, The best place to begin the trip is at the Highway 4 variety of hazards to canoeists. Although the Minnesota is practices along rivers and throughout watersheds. maps can be found at naming it Riviere St. Pierre. One of the traders, Pierre access south of Sleepy Eye or several miles downstream at often very placid, the current can be quick and powerful mndnr.gov/watertrails Charles Le Sueur (for whom the community of Le Sueur is the County Road 11 access. The take-out point is either at Planning A Safe River Trip when the river is near or at stage. But most dangers Natural shoreline buffers improve water quality by named), found what he believed to be a vein of copper ore the Cottonwood can be anticipated and avoided. Start your trip with the filtering out pollutants and sediments. Healthy and diverse near the mouth of the Blue Earth River at present-day Street bridge near A successful river trip is safe. To enjoy a safe journey, you proper safety equipment. Coast Guard approved personal native shoreline plant communities are attractive and DNR Information Center Mankato. (The city of Mankato, established in 1858, takes Highway 15 or you should be prepared by doing the following: floatation devices (PFD) should be worn at all times. provide important shoreline habitat for birds and wildlife. The DNR’s Information Center is available to provide free its name from Makta Osa Watapa, the Dakota name for the can continue on publications of facilities and services as well as answers questions • Get acquainted with your route. Plan your trip with a The wind can often be deceiving. Waves on open pertaining to DNR recreational opportunities in Minnesota. river.) Le Sueur took a sample of the “ore” to Paris and down to the received a royal commission to mine it. After returning in confluence of the map before you depart and advise someone of your stretches can easily fill or flip an open canoe. The DNR Information Center 1700 to work the mine, he left for Paris with two tons of the Minnesota River and plans including planned departure and arrival times. 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 material. It is assumed his disappointment was substantial then several miles • Travel with a companion or group. Hypothermia, a rapid loss of body heat, has killed Natural 651-296-6157 Metro Area when he learned the blue earth was, in fact, only blue earth. • Choose a distance that is comfortable for you, most many people who have swamped or tipped. Swimming soon Shorelands 1-888-646-6367 MN Toll-Free downstream to the 40% The Dakota Indians continued to use the bluish-green earth people paddle two to three river miles per hour. becomes impossible in freezing water. Wear a PFD and stay Courtland access. 10% mndnr.gov as a pigment. • Wear a U. S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation close to shore if there is a possibility that your craft will device that state law requires be on board the boat for swamp. Don't overload your canoe. Snag-ridden waters 50% Watonwan By the middle of the 19th century, people in the east each person. often are trickier to negotiate than whitewater. Underwater Altered You can make a difference by joining the DNR • Bring a first aid kit that includes waterproof matches. obstacles can easily tip a canoe. Watch carefully. Shorelands Adopt-a-River Program. Be a clean up volunteer were clamoring for the valley to be opened for settlement. River 30% for a portion of your favorite recreation area. Call In 1851, the United States signed an historic treaty • Be cautious of river obstructions, such as overhanging 55% the DNR Information Center for a brochure, or agreement with the Dakota at Traverse des Sioux (there is In August of and dead trees in the river. 15% infiltration visit mndnr.gov/adoptariver. now a history center located at the site of the treaty, on the 1838, famed • Bring an extra paddle in your canoe. north end of St. Peter.) In the treaty agreement, the Sioux explorer Joseph N. • You must pack out all trash. Nicollet, in the • Leave only footprints; take only photographs! All photos provided by MN DNR relinquished nearly 24 million acres of land to the company of two SEPPMANN WINDMILL, ONE OF THE FIRST © 2014 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources STONE GRIST MILLS IN MN. BUILT IN 1864 - MINNEOPA STATE PARK