Root River (Minnesota)

Root River
The North Branch of the Root River in Olmsted County Park
The Root River in Minnesota
Native nameHokah (Dakota)
Location
CountryUnited States
StatesMinnesota
CountiesFillmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Winona
CitiesChatfield, Forestville, Hokah, Houston, Lanesboro, Rushford, Peterson, Preston, Stewartville, Whalan
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • coordinates43°48′24″N 92°10′14″W / 43.8066305°N 92.1704397°W / 43.8066305; -92.1704397 (Root River Source)
MouthMississippi River
 • coordinates
43°45′43″N 91°15′06″W / 43.7619120°N 91.2518017°W / 43.7619120; -91.2518017 (Root River Mouth)
Length80 miles (130 km)
Discharge 
 • location43°45′43″N 91°15′06″W / 43.7619°N 91.2518°W / 43.7619; -91.2518
Basin features
River systemMississippi River
Tributaries 
 • leftKinney Creek, Lynch Creek, Mill Creek, Money Creek, North Branch Root River, Raaen Creek, Rush Creek, Torkelson Creek, Trout Run
 • rightDiamond Creek (Root River tributary), Ferndale Creek, Gribben Creek, Middle Fork Root River, Partridge Creek, South Branch Root River, Rice Creek, South Fork Root River
BridgesMoen's Bridge

The Root River flows for 80 miles (130 km)[1] through the Driftless Area of southeastern Minnesota and is a tributary of the Upper Mississippi River. The Root River is formed by three branches, the North, South and Middle branches of the Root River and the South Fork Root River. It is an excellent river for canoeing and fishing. The gentle to moderate flowing river drops an average of 3.4 ft/mile from Chatfield, Minnesota, to its pour point in the Mississippi River into Navigation Pool 7 just south of La Crosse, Wisconsin and east of Hokah, Minnesota.

  1. ^ "The National Map". U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved Feb 9, 2011.