THE MINNESOTA RIVER (Ortonville to Granite Falls), Includes Part of Pomme De Terre and Chippewa Rivers

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A STATE WATER TRAIL GUIDE TO THE MINNESOTA RIVER (Ortonville to Granite Falls), includes part of Pomme de Terre and Chippewa Rivers

Artichoke Koosmann 55 Kanne Prairie Lake Landing Big Stone Lake Lake Lindquist 7 5 75 W.M.A. Oliver 32 21 W.M.A. Long Lake 9 12 Victory 25 20 29 25 (N) W.M.A. 20 31 Ortonville Griffin Bench W.M.A. Lake Numbe Swift County 29 25 #8 Canoeing not recommended 5 in this area, due to r Th Big Stone re-channelization 59 20 r 9 City ee Stony Danvers 12 Numerous log jams Klages 25 and snags exist in W.M.A. W.M.A. this section Horseshoe 12 20 River Benson Lake Run 13 12 River Hwy 12 C 20 r 1 eek 50 315 Odessa 21 15 36 75 12 29 BIG STONE CO. 14 Hart 31 Odessa Danvers Clair T. LAC QUI Lake 38 Rollings W.M.A. 310 PARLE CO. Jossart Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge 25 119 ChippewaW.M.A. 12 305 BIG STONE CO. SWIFT CO. 14 15 Shible 11 14 Cr. Lake Clair T. 14 Holloway Rollings W.M.A. SOUTH DAKOTA 17 De Graf Hwy 7 Ter re 38 Larson 75 Mile Shible 1 W.M.A. 15 Landing Marsh 45 40 #1 Correll 300 Lac qui Parle W.M.A. Numerous rapids and snags 31 exist from Marsh Lake to Appleton 10 59 10 Carry-in Access 7 MINNESOTA Five 9 de Corell 119 Landing Water Access 295 7 17 No. Fk. Norby Pyramid Powerline Landing Yellow Shakopee C W.M.A. Marsh Lake 10 Marsh #2 Pomme Rest Area Bank 5 Appleton Person W.M.A. 40 R. Cement 6 reek 38 Bridge 290 38 6 River Tjosaas 6 Watercraft Campsite W.M.A. 38 #2 Kibler Peterson W.M.A. 75 Marsh Lake Campground Louisburg 9 Rosen 19 36 RIVER 59 30 7 34 Powerline 35 285 7 River Mile Red Buffalo 34 SWIFT CO. 30 W.M.A. Cottonwood Hagen Kibler 19 Twin CHIPPEWA CO. 31 W.M.A. 30 Bridge Lac qui Parle W.M.A. Creek Rapids Bank Milan Bellingham W.M.A. 11 25 Big Bend City 29 Caerulean Han Tho 119 Caution AreasShakopee Yellow 10 Lake W.M.A. W.M.A. Chippewa 9 8 Shakopee Hantho Milan Milan 5 W.M.A. Route Descriptions of the Minnesota and Bridge W.M.A. Dam Milan Lac qui Parle 40 portions of the Chippewa and Pomme deBorchardt-Rosin Terre Rivers 7 Emily 29 40 Fishing Pier W.M.A. 280 Cr Lentz 40 Walter 19 . 20 W.M.A Engebretson NOTE: (R) and (L) represent right and left banks of the river when facing downstream. 40 Drinking Water Quilitz Nassau W.M.A CHIPPEWA CO. Grace 24 27 Watson Minnesota River Miles 239.2 Downtown Rapids, class I-II. Lac qui Sag 12 6 W.M.A 239.1 Hwy 212 bridge. 24 Ohnah Parle 12 Outfitter Yellow Bank W.M.A. 29 238.6 (R) Boat access, drinking75 water and canoe campsite. W.M.A. Watson Sa 317.9 Minnesota River enters fromHills S.N.A. Big Stone Lake, City Lillejord 33 Ro 238.6- 237.8 W.M.A. Boyd Landing se g Lac qui Parle

Small rapids, class I-II. River of Ortonville. Is moe Cerro LAC QUI la 236.4 A dam removal has created a set of Class II-IV rapids, 26 n W.M.A. 317.9 (L) Boat access. Madrena Gordo d n 9 Numo 12 Designated State Units 317.6 Railroad bridge. depending onW.M.A. water levels. Paddlers are strongly 26 Volden’s Tunsberg W.M.A. 12 Madison Pit W.M.A. encouraged to get out on the portage (river right) to PARLE CO 7 317.4 Dam, no portage, fishing pier. W.M.A. 275 5 scout the rapids before proceeding. Watson 15 317.2 Hwy 12 bridge. Sag Dam Out of State Land 317-303.5 Numerous log jams and snags exist in this section. 40 Weather 316.6 Enter Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, railroad Pomme de Terre River Miles State Park NW Portage Vehicle . 150 yards 59 Dry (from County Rd. 20 downstream) Closed to paddling Permit C bridge. Class I r W.M.A. = Wildlife Management Area Sept. 20 - Dec. 1 Required eek 307.8 (L) Confluence of Stony Run. 7 rapids 307.2 (L) Canoe access. 27.5 County Road 20 bridge. Lac Qui Parle Churchill 13 S.N.A. = Scientific and Natural Area 303.5 (L) Canoe access and rest area. 27.3 (R) Koosmann Landing canoe access. State Park Powerline 9 13 24.7 County Road 18 bridge 20 Brown Dam 0 12345 Miles 13 303.5 Dam, no verified portage. Parle 20 Access Numerous log jams and 19.1 (L) Canoe access, rest area and campground. W.M.A. snags exist in this section 301.7 (L) Canoe access. River 10 Watson Bergo 0 12 34 5 Kilometers 301.5 Enter Lac qui Parle W.M.A.. 19.0 Hwy 12 bridge. 27 Lac qui Parle W.M.A. 294.4 (L) Canoe access one mile north on Marsh Lake. 14.8 (L) Larson Landing canoe access. 270 13.6 Hwy 59/railroad bridge. qui 20 14 294.1 (R) Cement Bridge boat access. State Park NORTH 277 292.5 (L) Boat access one mile north on Marsh Lake. 9.9 Powerline crossing. Access 8.8 (L) Fishing pier in the city of Appleton. 25 5 291.2 (R) Peterson boat access. Spring 5 Boike 288.6 (L) Boat access. 8.6 Hwy 119 bridge. 31 W.M.A. Gluek 288.3 (L) Confluence of Pomme de Terre River. 8.5 (R) Canoe access, city of Appleton. 35 29 Baxter 7 288.2 Dam, no verified portage. 8.3 Railroad bridge. Michaelson C W.M.A. Montevideo ree 288.2 (L) Canoe access. 7.9 Railroad bridge. W.M.A. k 6 0.6 (L) Canoe access. Camp 288.0 Railroad bridge. Lac Portage Release 265 285.9 (R) Twin Bridge boat access, highway 119 bridge. 0-9 Numerous snags and rapids from Marsh Lake to 100 yards 15 river right MINNESO 285.9 Powerline crosses. Appleton. 260 0-4.5 Lac qui Parle W.M.A.. 212 Dawson 7 283.0 (R) Hantho boat access. TA Montevideo 7 0 Enter Minnesota River at River Mile 301.5. W. Fk. R. I 280.1 (L) Milan Bridge boat access. Lac qui Parle 212 280.1 (R) Confluence of Emily Creek. (E) (W) 59 Priens Landing 4 3 280.1 Highway 40 bridge. Chippewa River Miles 10 Dawson 5 279.7 (R) Canoe access. (from town of Benson downstream) 23 W.M.A. 27 Sioux Indian 212 7 P 279.0 (L) Engebretson boat access. 23 W.M.A. 19 almer 52.0 (R) Boat access, drinking water and campground. 35 278.1 (R) Boyd Landing boat access. eek 15 r 275.0 Enter Lac qui Parle State Park. 51.0 Town of Benson. C Powerline 274.5 (R) Boat access, vehicle permit required. 51.0 Hwy 12 bridge. Riverside 275 W.M.A. 59 255 Maynard 274.5 (L) Volden’s Pit boat access on east side of Rosemoen Is. 49.8-50 Clair T. Rollings W.M.A. r. 8 RIVER C 17 47.5-47.9 Jossart W.M.A. r 273.0 (R) Confluence of Lac qui Parle River. 8 6 eek Hawk Ten-Well 46 Wegdahl 273.0 (L) Watson Sag boat access, two miles north on Co. Rd. 47.5 (R) Confluence of Number Three Creek. YEL 46.6 County Road 14 bridge. W.M.A. Brafees C 32. Creek 18 Lisbon LOW MEDICINE250 10 272.5 Dam, portage right 150 yards. 40.7 County Road 7 bridge. W.M.A. Sween Prospect CHIPPE W.M.A. 40.1 (L) Norby Landing boat access. W.M.A. Stony 272.4 (L) Corps canoe access, drinking water. 15 Asbury 272.4 (R) Rest area. 40.1 (L) Confluence of Shakopee Creek. County Road 9 bridge. R 8 un eek 271.5 Powerline crossing. 33.8 Chippewa/Swift County line. Cr W A C 269.3 Co. Rd 14 bridge. 32.1 Township road 42 bridge. Mile 35 Clawson 23 27.0 Town of Hagen, Chippewa/Swift County line. 2 W.M.A. 7 O 265.6 (R) Camp Release boat access, Co. Rd. 15 bridge. Providence 2 Boyd C . 24.9 (R) Confluence of Cottonwood Creek. O. 261.0 (R) Canoe campsite. W.M.A. 245 Creek 21.1 Hwy 40 bridge. 5 5 Spring 259.1 Class I Rapids. Wild Wings Christopherson Spartan 257.8 (L) Confluence of Chippewa River, Hwy 59 bridge. 21.0 (L) Canoe access. W.M.A. Ten W.M.A. W.M.A. 11 257.3 (L) Priens Landing boat access. 18.6 Co. Rd. 12 bridge. Ten Church 27 37 253.3 Hwy 212 bridge. Powerline crossing. 15.7 (L) Confluence of Dry Weather Creek. 23 Mile W.M.A. Stoney Run I Powerline Creek 12.7 (R) Canoe access and rest area. 29 Case W.M.A. eek 250.5 Confluence of Brafees Creek. Roe Portage r Lake Powerlines C 250.4 (L) Boat access, town of Wegdahl. 12.5 Dam, Co.Rd. 13 bridge. Teardrop Medicine Pipe 212 250 yards 12.5-3 Numerous log jams and snags exist in this area. W.M.A. 34 river right 10 247.2 (R) Confluence of Stoney Run Creek. W.M.A. Flinks

Granite RENVILLE CO. LAC QUI CO. CHIPPEWA 11.5 Town of Watson. PARLE CO. W.M.A. 243.3 (L) Canoe campsite. Miller-Richter Falls 240 243.0 Class I rapids. 2.9 (L) Confluence of Spring Creek. W.M.A. YELLOW MEDICINE CO. Downtown Rapids 242.2 (L) Confluence of Palmer Creek. 1.2 (R) Canoe access, enter city of Montevideo. Montevideo 11 Class I-II Class I-II Hawk 242.2 Powerline crossing. has drinking water and a canoe campsite. 67 Clarkfield Blue Devil St. Leo W.M.A. 67 Valley S.N.A. 241.8 Powerlines crossing. 1.0 Dam, no verified portage. Spring 67 23 10 9 241.5 (L) Roe boat access. 0.8 Railroad bridge. Class II-IV 0.5 Hwy 59/7 bridge. C 59 8 War Memorial City Park 67 Portage (R) 200 yards 241.3 Class I Rapids, Railroad bridge. re 7 235 212 239.7 Dam, portage 250 yards river right. 0.0 Enter Minnesota River at River Mile 270.1 ek Gneiss Outcrops Big Rock W.M.A. S.N.A.

© 2014 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources A STATE WATER TRAIL GUIDE TO THE MINNESOTA (Ortonville to Granite Falls), includes the Pomme de Terre and Chippewa Rivers 1 of 4 - Ortonville to Granite Falls MINNESOTA STATE WATER RIVER A TRAIL Guide This section of the Minnesota river begins as a narrow, meandering stream and ends as a broader channel containing gentle rapids with views of granite outcroppings amongst wooded bluffs. In between, you will pass through flood plain forest, extensive backwaters, marshes and openwater reservoirs.

includes the Pomme de Terre and Chippewa Rivers

Minnesota State Parks and Trails mndnr.gov/watertrails STEVE MUELLER

DAM AT GRANITE FALLS The Minnesota River Release, near Montevideo, the Dakota released Planning a Safe River Trip Wheaton 94 269 prisoners taken during the fighting. Chippewa R. Flowing through a wide valley carved out by A successful river trip is safe. To enjoy a safe 59 94 71 Sauk the ancient River Warren, the Minnesota River is The Chippewa River journey, you should be prepared by acquainting 75 R. S No. Fk. Crow R. rich in natural beauty. Traveling from Ortonville yourself with your route. Choose a distance that is O Pomme de Terre R. Joseph Nicolett ascended the Chippewa River Ortonville to Granite Falls, the canoeist will see a diversity comfortable for you. U 12 of terrain, from marshy lowlands to steep granite from its mouth on August 5, 1838. He described T Minnesota H Appleton bluffs. the Minnesota River as doubling in volume at the Water levels can speed up or slow down your 12 mouth of the Chippewa, which was a wide river trip: get information about water levels from the D Montevideo with a clear, sandy bottom. regional DNR office, DNR website, or DNR A So. Fk. Crow R. A wide variety of vegetation also fringes the 212 71 K Granite river. Canoeists may be surprised to see prickly Information Center. Protect the water and 59 Falls O pear cactus along the route. ACCESS WEGDAHL shorelands and leave nothing behind you except T River 212 footprints. Remember that much of the • Camp only in designated campsites, which are A Lac qui Parle R. Yellow Medicine R. From Ortonville to Marsh Lake, trees and At the southeastern end of Lac qui Parle, shorelands are privately owned. available on a first-come, first-served basis. 75 Redwood R. vines overhang the river and give it a jungle-like called “talking water” by the Dakota, is Lac qui • Bring drinking water. It is only available at a Marshall Redwood Parle State Park. Within the park are miles of limited number of rest areas. Drinking river Falls appearance; dark woods of soft maple, • Travel with a companion or group. Plan your Cottonwood cottonwood and elm fringe the banks. Snags and back channels which support an abundant wildlife trip with a map before you depart and advise water is not recommended, but if you do it 14 14 broken-down bridges create obstacles. population. In addition to various species of water someone of your plans, including planned must be treated. River Des Moines birds, owls, hawks, deer, eagles, beaver and departure and arrival times. • Respect private property. Stop only at 71 The river broadens near Marsh Lake. Large muskrat inhabit this area. • Most people paddle two to three river miles designated sites; much of the shoreland is 59 Watonwan R. per hour. private property. R. areas of swamp and marsh extend from the river; Windom willow predominate. Marsh Lake and Lac qui Fishing • Bring a first-aid kit that includes waterproof • Be sanitary! Use designated toilet facilities or

Parle, two miles downstream, are shallow and LOGAN PARK-MONTEVIDEO matches. bury human waste away from the river. weedy. Thousands of birds use this stretch of the The Minnesota also supports a large fish • Be cautious of river obstructions, such as “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources river corridor for nesting, breeding and resting population. Although carp and other rough fish overhanging and dead trees in the river. is an Equal Opportunity Employer” during migrations. predominate, anglers can take walleye, northern The Dakota called the Chippewa River, • You must pack out all trash. Sustainable Ecosystems pike and smallmouth bass in deep pools and Maya-waka-wapan, meaning “remarkable river • Leave only footprints; take only photographs! riffles below rapids and dams. with steep places.”The gradient of the Chippewa Outdoor recreation is dependent on a healthy This information is available in alternative There are several species of waterfowl, format upon request. including mallards, blue-winged teal and wood River is 4 1/2 feet per mile. It is considered and attractive natural environment. Sustainable ducks. The most impressive waterfowl along the From the Lac qui Parle dam to Granite Falls primarily a flat water river with some riffles and outdoor recreation enables people to enjoy the river is the Canada goose, many of which are the river flows in a 100 to 150-foot-wide channel Class I rapids. The banks are heavily wooded as outdoors without negative impacts on the found at Lac qui Parle. Wetland birds such as through a wide flood plain. Below Montevideo it meanders through the farmland of southwestern environment. various species of herons, bitterns and shorebirds, granite outcrops become prevalent. There are Minnesota. There are many bluffs, some 150 to Minnesota State Parks and Trails make their summer home along the river. light rapids above and below Granite Falls. 200 feet high, adding to the beauty of the river. Communities working together can improve Area Office Pheasants and gray (hungarian) partridge find water resources by promoting environmentally 10590 County Road 8 NE thick cover in the river valley for nesting and for Because of possible mercury contamination, The Pomme de Terre River sensitive land-use practices along rivers and Spicer, MN 56288 protection from harsh winter storms. keep smaller fish for eating, release the older, throughout watersheds. (320) 796-2161 larger fish which have a higher concentration of The Pomme de Terre River is the contamination. People, especially women of northern-most tributary of the Minnesota River. It Natural shoreline buffers improve water

Part of the Lac qui Parle Wildlife MARSH LAKE DAM AT PELICANS Online water trail information and Management Area, including Lac qui Parle from childbearing age and children, should strictly is named for the potato like native plant used as quality by filtering out pollutants and sediments. maps can be found at the State Highway 40 bridge to the dam (river adhere to guidelines set by the Minnesota food by the Dakota inhabiting the area. Pomme Healthy and diverse native shoreline plant mndnr.gov/watertrails mile 284), is closed to the public from September Department of Health. Complete information is de terre is French for potato. communities are attractive and provide important available by calling 1-800-627-3529. Boating Information habitat for birds and wildlife. 20 to December 1. No canoeing is then allowed POMME DE TERRE RIVER AT APPLETON DNR Information Center on that stretch of the river. The Pomme de The DNR’s Information Center is available to provide free History Terre River runs • Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal publications of facilities and services as well as answers questions through a variety of flotation device that state law requires to be pertaining to DNR recreational opportunities in Minnesota. French fur traders discovered the river in the land types, including on board the craft. The DNR Information Center late 1600s, naming it Riviere St. Pierre. By the low blufflands, • Bring an extra paddle. 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 mid-19th century the Minnesota River valley had woods, pasture and • Not all portions of this water trail are suitable Natural 651-296-6157 Metro Area Shorelands 40% evaporation 1-888-646-6367 MN Toll-Free been all but trapped out. Game animals were some farmland. for motor use. scarce; the buffalo had been driven to the plains Watch for farm fences • Register your watercraft. All watercraft more 10% runoff mndnr.gov of the upper Missouri and the Red River Valley. that may be strung than 9 feet in length, including nonmotorized 50% infiltration across the river! The canoes and kayaks, must be registered in Altered The Traverse Des Sioux treaty of 1851 gradient of the Minnesota or your state of residence. Shorelands You can make a difference by joining the DNR 30% evaporation Adopt-a-River Program. Be a clean up volunteer opened the river valley to settlement; the Pomme de Terre River 55% runoff for a portion of your favorite recreation area. Call Minnesota carried passengers and goods to the is 4.1 feet per mile on Rest Areas and Camping Sites 15% infiltration the DNR Information Center for a brochure, or visit mndnr.gov/adoptariver. growing communities. average. • Public rest areas are available along the route All Photos: MN DNR In 1862, Dakota discontent with the white to rest, picnic and explore.