THE MINNESOTA RIVER (Includes the Redwood River)

A STATE WATER TRAIL GUIDE TO THE MINNESOTA RIVER (Includes the Redwood River)

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O O Winfieldfi d LLakeake C C 11 Route Descriptions of the Minnesota & Redwood Rivers I C W.M.A.W.M.A..A. Palmer Creek BooBoonn LakeLakek 1010 SloughSlouSlughu h WW.M.A..M.A.MAA eek 5 r Rosasseno Slougho NOTE: (R) and (L) represent right and left banks of the river when facing downstream. CreekC WW.M.A..M.A. 71 I Granite 11 Minnesota River Miles

CHIPPEWA CO. RENVILLE CO. 37 11 178.4 (R) Confluence of Wabasha Creek. Falls 1111 1111 Roe 9 6 243.3 Watercraft campsite, class I rapids 179.4 (L) Water access, watercraft campsite11 and rest area, BLIND CORNER 240 23 242.2 (L) Confluence of Palmer Creek. County Road 11 bridge, town of Franklin. Downtown Rapids Portage right 4 Class I-II 250 yards Hawk 241.5 (R) 171.5 (L) 212 Minnesota 65 Roe water access. Confluence of Threemile Creek. Falls 1212 59 1 241.3 Class I rapids. Railroad bridge. 169.5 (L) Mack Lake Park water access andChurChuChurchill watercraftchill Class I-II 55 21 1616 Blue Devil 239.7 Dam, portage right 250 yards. City of Granite Falls. campsite. Valley S.N.A. War 212 239.2 Downtown Rapids, class I-II rapids. 167.4 (R) Kettner’s Landing water access and watercraft Memorial 2222 Class II-IV SacredSacred envilleenvillnv e 239.1 CCreekreek Park Portage (R) 200 yards DanubeD E Highway 212 bridge. campsite. 235 HeartHeart astst Kinney 1414 238.6ForkF ork(R) War Memorial Park water access, watercraft 164.4BuffaloBuffffal (L)o Confluence of Fort Ridgely Creek. 39 212212 BeaverB Gneiss Outcrops campsite, CrCrestr. area and drinking water. 163.3 (L) Water access, Highway 4 bridge. S.N.A. 238.2-237.8 Small rapids, class I-II. 159.5 (L) Confluence of Spring Creek. OliviaO 2323 Fredrickson 236.4 (R) A dam removal5 has created a set of Class II-IV 153.0 (L) Confluence of Little Rock Creek. 23 Kinney rapids, depending on water levels. Paddlers are 152.0 (L) Harkin Store carry-in access. CAUTION: steep bank. DybsandDybsand eek Hazel rreek BirdBird IIslandsland 230 10 9 W.M.A.W.M.A. C strongly encouraged to get out on the portage (river Scout Cr. 52 Island 53 right) to scout the rapids before proceeding. Upper Sioux Trongard 8 Lorne 67 53 233.7 (R) Water access, town of Kinney. Indian Reservation W.M.A. 232.3 (R) Confluence of Hazel Creek. 21 1313 7171 231.0 (L) Scout Island watercraft campsite. 225 274 Skalbekken 55 230.6 (L) Water access, town of Frederickson. Redwood River Miles County Park 6 t BuffaloBuff o River r 226.9 (R) Upper Sioux Agency State Park, vehicle permit 1 59.1 County Road 33 bridge, city of Marshall. MedicineM Upper Sioux Agency Fee 17 LakLak HeartHeaH required. Water access, watercraft campsite and State Park Charged 1717 56.8 300th Street bridge 212 ellowell 1717 drinking water. 3 YellowY YELLOW MEDICINE81 CO. 56.0 Bridge. W 225.3 (R) Confluence of Yellow Medicine River. RENVILLE C est 54.7 225.0 (L) Confluence of Hawk Creek. Bridge. Sacred HHeHeartart 53.0 Highway 23 bridge, town of Green Valley. W.M.A. 224.6 County Road 10 bridge. 220 9 12 Ea 51.7 280th Avenue bridge. Lakea sts 224.3 (L) Skalbekken County Park, carry in access and Creek 18 O. t 50.2 County Road 73/290th. Avenue bridge.

. od . WoodWood HighbankHighH 81 watercraft campsite.

O Lone Tree 47.7 (L) Confluence of Threemile Creek. O

LakeLa 221.9 (R) C Lake ForF Confluence of Wood Lake Creek. 1818 or WoodWood 7 Joe Slough Sacred 47.4 County Road 9 bridge. k 217.6 County Road 7 bridge. Y

LE C LE LakeLake 44.5 Possible portage point. EY 214.0 (R) Confluence of Boiling Spring Creek. CO. LLE 42.6 BL Swedes Forest 6 County Road 11 bridge.

SI Iverson 213.9 County Road 19 bridge CO. SIBLEY S.N.A. - Homme 40.4 KulstadKulstadd Lake 215 Aspen Avenue bridge. E E Kollin Unit 1 ForF 212.5 (R) Confluence of Echo Creek. or LakeLake 2 27 38.0 RENVI RENVIL k Balsa Avenue bridge. Creek 4 211.1-210.3 Class I rapids. 15 4 36.3 County Road 8 bridge. Vicksburg 210.6 (L) Confluence4 of Sacred Heart Creek. 8 4 ood 2 I County Park 32.6 County Road 59 bridge. Timms 210.0 (L) Vicksburg County Park water access. 3 e 67 28.9 (L) Vesta water access, Highway 19 bridge, Eagle Spring 210 209.6 (L) Vicksburg Co. Pk. watercraft campsite and rest area. 209.0 County Road 6 bridge. Avenue bridge. 21 eek Whispering r 27.8 County Road 10 bridge, town of Vesta. Bechyn CreekC 208.0 (L) Whispering Ridge AMA carry in acess and Ridge AMA Creek 22.0 County Road 7 bridge, town of Seaforth, Garden 6 BoilingBoilinB ng Creek watercraft campsite. 206.9-.4 Rapids (Class I) Avenue bridge. 7 Creek Cummings Lake O I 21.5 (R) Confluence of Clear Creek, Harvest Avenue bridge.

C 206.5 (L) Confluence of Timms Creek. 19 Middle 17.3 Township Road 65 bridge. TysonTyson Gold Mine 205.8 (R) Confluence of Rice Creek. LakeLake Lake 15 13.3 (L) Wabasso water access, County Road 6 bridge. EchoEcho Echo 205.1 County Road 17 bridge. . C 9.2 Township Road 17 bridge. 1 OO 6 Creek 1 D 204.3 (L) Confluence of Middle Creek.

CC 9 205 6.5 Lake Redwood. Cedar 200.8 (L)

D Confluence of Smith Creek. M Rock Cr. 19 5.8 (L) Westside Park water access, town of Redwood Falls. W.M.A. Smith 200.4 (R) Confluence of Camp Pope Creek. Rice Birch

OW MEDICINE C MEDICINE OW 5.7 Highway 19 Bridge and Dam. Impassable with no

WOOD CW BBelviewelview LL Delhi 197.5 (R) North Redwood water access, County Rd. 1 bridge. 2323 D 9 71 197.1 (R) Confluence of Redwood River. City of portage. Vehicle shuttle downstream to Alexander

REDWOOD CO. REDWOOD RE Renville County YELLOW MEDICINE CO. YELLOW YEL Beaver Coulee Ramsey Park is recommended. Park - Beaver Falls Redwood Falls 2626 17 Camp Pope 15 5.0 2 1 195.6 (R) Watercraft campsite. Alexander Ramsey City Park. 4.5 (L) CurtisCurtis reek Confluence of Ramsey Creek, County 31 bridge. PosenPosene C 200 2 194.1 (L) Confluence of Beaver Creek. LakeLake 67 267267 1.1 County Road 101 bridge. W.M.A.W.M.A.M.A. Beaver Falls 191.3 (R) Confluence of Crow Creek. W.M.A. 0.0 Confluence of Minnesota River. Klabunde 2 189.7 (R) Morton water access. 6 25 W.M.A. 188.9 Highway 17/19 bridge. 17 North Riverside 195 PosenPosen Redwood A.M.A. 18 186.2 (L) Confluence of Birch Coulee Creek. W.M.A.W.M.A.MA North Ramsey Creek Delhi Redwood

A.M.A. W.M.A. C

Timmsm r W.M.A.W.M.A.M Morton eek 46 6 Creek Ramsey Alexander Ramsey Tiger Lake 46 1919 67 City Park 5 73 4 1919 67 W.M.A. 190 5 3 19 67 71 19 2727 Crow Brickyard 7474 8 Redwood A.M.A. RENVILLE CO Falls Cr. 19 Redwood 24 Morton Lower Sioux 19 Wabasso River Lake Indian . 59 185 FFairfaxairfax Reservation 2 Franklin 10 51 19 30 7 180 F Vesta Redwood o

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RED 3 t 17 WOOD C 16 35 30 13 O. Thr See continuation 30 71 67 Wabasha eemile 25 15 5 2727 inset below 4 Faxvog 10 6 reek 11 C C Ridgely W.M.A. reek 20 65 2 175 Minnesota 8 River A.M.A. 56 Mudu Seaforth LakeLakek

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V 7 Daubs GilfillanG BR Fort Ridgely 1717 State Park Western Continuation of the Redwood River LakLakee WW.M.A..M.A. 6 11 10

RENVILLE CO. RENVILLE RENVI SIBL

SIBLEY CO. SIBLEY Minnesota River Luescher-BarnumLuesL e cher-Barrnum 21 NICOLLETLLETLLE CCO.O. Green W.M.A.W.M.A.M W.MA. Valley 7 165 27 8 8 8 W.M.A. Hwy 4 5 50 30 Lone 10 Little 45 Tree Kettner’s 2 Landing 21 35 Carry-in Access Rapids Designated State Units Lake 40 55 11 Tribal Land Morgana 9 Water Access Dam 8 5 R 68 o 68 3 30 30 ck 59 23 8 1 Rest Area Fishing Pier Hindeman Creek 59

ON A.M.A. C

333 YY 160 r CAUTION: eek LYON CO. LYON LLL

WOOD W W.M.A. = Wildlife Management Area Spring 21 steep D 70 155 60 68 bank 68 Watercraft CampsiteRowena Drinking Water S.N.A. = Scientific and Natural13 Area Creek REDWOOD CO. REDWOOD RE Harkin Store 68 19 1919 16 A.M.A.= Aquatic Managment Area 8 10 Clements 16 4 Rolling Hillsls SandySandy SloughSlough Campground17 71Outfitter Marshall 688 19 WW.M.A..M.A. W.M.A.W.M.A.. . 0 12345 Miles 7 . 19 r 59 C 9 68 River Mile 63 Kilometers 2929 CliftonC 0 12341 5 65 11 NORTH Johns 23 W.M.A.W.M.A. 29

MINNESOTA WATER A STATE RIVER TRAIL Guide

The Upper Minnesota River Valley is one of the most impressive landscapes in southwestern Minnesota. The vegetation found along the floodplain-silver maple, willow, cottonwood and includes the Redwood River ash-is a pleasing contrast to the upland bluffs of red cedar and pockets of prairie grasses.

Minnesota State Parks and Trails

mndnr.gov/watertrails RENVILLE COUNTY PARK The Minnesota River Planning a Safe River Trip 94 Mississippi Patterson’s Rapids (river mile 225.9) is a A successful river trip is safe. To enjoy a safe Sauk Center short stretch of whitewater tumbling over a bed journey, you should be prepared by acquainting 59 Chippewa R. 71 94 of glacial drift boulders. The rapids fall about yourself with your route. Choose a distance that Sauk 169 R. five feet in one-third of a mile and are of is comfortable for you. Water levels can speed River intermediate difficulty at normal water levels. up or slow down your trip: get information about Pomme de Terre R. 12 water levels from the regional DNR office, DNR N. Fork C Appleton row R. website, or DNR Information Center. Protect the Willmar The rapids were named after Charles water and shorelands and leave nothing behind 12 Patterson, an early trader who established a Montevideo you except footprints. Remember that much of 212

trading post at the rapids in 1783. Sacred Heart RAPIDS NEAR PATTERSON’S Granite 71 S. Fork Crow R. the shorelands are privately owned.

Falls Creek, which enters the Minnesota here, and the RAPIDS; BENDA PHOTOGRAPHY NEAR PATTERSON’S Minnesota Lac qui Parle R. 59 212 nearby town of Sacred Heart also owe their GRANITE FALLS names to Patterson. The trader wore a bearskin Trip Planning • Bring drinking water. It is only available at a Yellow Medicine RedwoodR. R. hat and, since the bear was a sacred animal to the Wildlife limited number of rest areas. Drinking river 169 A gentle river seldom interrupted by rapids, • Travel with a companion or group. Plan your water is not recommended, but if you do it Marshall Redwood Dakota, they called him the Sacred Hat man; this The Minnesota River is a haven for bird life. trip with a map before you depart and advise Falls the Minnesota is one of the few canoeable rivers must be treated. River name later became Sacred Heart. Several species of waterfowl and wetland birds 14 in southwestern Minnesota and offers some of someone of your plans, including planned . use the river corridor for nesting, breeding and departure and arrival times. • Respect private property. Stop only at Cottonwood R the most impressive landscapes in this part of the 14 resting during migration. Pheasants and gray designated sites; much of the shoreland is 71 River state. • Most people paddle two to three river miles Watonwan (hungarian) partridge find thick cover in the river private property. 59 169 per hour. valley for nesting and for protection from harsh • Be sanitary! Use designated toilet facilities or Windom Blue Earth • Bring a first-aid kit that includes waterproof River The stretch between Granite Falls and winter storms. bury human waste away from the river. Minnesota Highway 4 is rich in Minnesota matches. history. From Granite Falls to North Redwood • Be cautious of river obstructions, such as “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources the Minnesota flows through an area of granite Fishing overhanging and dead trees in the river. Sustainable Ecosystems is an Equal Opportunity Employer” • You must pack out KINNEY ACCESS outcrops. Some outcrops are the oldest rocks The Minnesota also supports a large and Outdoor recreation is dependent on a healthy all trash. discovered in North America, dating back more relatively diverse fish population. Although carp and attractive natural environment. Sustainable • Leave only This information is available in alternative than three billion years. The banks along this and other riverine fish predominate, anglers outdoor recreation enables people to enjoy the footprints; take format upon request. stretch of river are heavily forested with maple, searching the snags and roots wads can outdoors without negative impacts on the

LOWER SIOUX INDIAN RESERFVATION LOWER only photographs! elm, cottonwood and willow. Away from the occasionally hook flathead catfish exceeding 40 environment. river the high granite domes are covered with pounds. Anglers searching river runs and pools cedar and oak. The area near Patterson’s Rapids was the site can also hook channel catfish exceeding 10 of a short-lived gold rush in the 1890s. pounds. Boating Communities working together can improve Minnesota State Parks and Trails Before the 1862 Information Area Office Dakota Conflict, the Discovered in 1894, the gold vein was soon water resources by promoting environmentally Walleye, sauger, and white bass are fairly 10590 County Road 8 NE Upper Sioux Agency depleted and the boom town of Springville • Wear a U.S. Coast sensitive land-use practices along rivers and Spicer, MN 56288 (river mile 240) was became a ghost town. numerous and vulnerable to angling when Guard-approved throughout watersheds. Natural shoreline buffers (320) 796-2161 one of the dispersal congregated. Anglers may also catch an personal flotation improve water quality by filtering out pollutants occasional northern pike, smallmouth bass, and device that state and sediments. points where the U.S. In the summer of 1862 the Dakota faced Online water trail information and government shovelnose sturgeon. Anglers fishing backwaters law requires to be starvation when their government annuities were areas can occasionally find bluegill and black on board the craft. maps can be found at distributed food, delayed by bureaucratic red tape. During the Healthy and diverse native shoreline plant mndnr.gov/watertrails crappie.c supplies and annual resultant Dakota Conflict the Indians attacked • Bring an extra paddle. communities are attractive and provide important payments to the settlements throughout the river valley and Anglers • Not all portions of this water trail are suitable habitat for birds and wildlife. DNR Information Center Dakota Indians, who prepared to overrun the small garrison at Fort for motor use. The DNR’s Information Center is available to provide free were confined by shoulds continue to publications of facilities and services as well as answers questions Ridgely. Chief Big Eagle later explained, “We • Register your watercraft. All watercraft more treaties to reportr tagged pertaining to DNR recreational opportunities in Minnesota. thought the fort was the door to the valley as far than 9 feet in length, including nonmotorized reservations along flatheadf catfish to as to St. Paul, and this if we got through the door canoes and kayaks, must be registered in The DNR Information Center the river. DepartmentD of UPPER SIOUX AGENCY STATE PARK STATE AGENCY UPPER SIOUX nothing could stop us this side of the Natural 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 naturaln Resources, Minnesota or your state of residence. Shorelands 651-296-6157 Metro Area Mississippi.” HutchinsonH 40% evaporation 1-888-646-6367 MN Toll-Free The agency was also an educational center FisheriesF 10% runoff mndnr.gov Rest Areas and Camping Sites where Indians were taught farming, carpentry Valley settlers, some escaping the Dakota by ManagementM 50% infiltration and other skills valued by white civilization. means of the Redwood Ferry (river mile 198.8), Area,A 20596 State • Public rest areas are available along the route Altered During the uprising white settlers abandoned the Shorelands You can make a difference by joining the DNR had flocked to the fort for protection. There they HighwayH 7, to rest, picnic and explore. 30% evaporation Adopt-a-River Program. Be a clean up volunteer agency and the Dakota burned it to the ground. Hutchinson,H MN 55% runoff for a portion of your favorite recreation area. Call withstood Indian attacks until they were relieved • Camp only in designated campsites, which are 15% infiltration the DNR Information Center for a brochure, or Today the area is preserved in Upper Sioux by state troops. The fort area is now preserved in 55350.5 available on a first-come, first-serve basis. visit mndnr.gov/adoptariver. Agency State Park.