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Middle River (Iowa)
Encyclopedia
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Des Moines River
Des Moines River
The Des Moines River is a tributary river of the Mississippi River, approximately long to its farther headwaters, in the upper Midwestern United States...
in south-central Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is 123 miles (197.9 km) long and drains an area of 489.5 square miles (1,267.8 km²). Via the Des Moines River, it is part of the watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
.
The Middle River rises in southwestern Guthrie County
Guthrie County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 10,954 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,756 housing units, of which 4,544 were occupied.-2000 census:...
and initially flows southeastwardly through Adair County, then eastwardly through Madison County
Madison County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 15,679 in the county, with a population density of . There were 6,554 housing units, of which 6,025 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, then east-northeastwardly through Warren County, passing the towns of Casey
Casey, Iowa
Casey is a city in Adair and Guthrie Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 478 at the 2000 census.The Guthrie County portion of Casey is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Winterset
Winterset, Iowa
Winterset is a city in Madison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,768 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Madison County....
, Patterson
Patterson, Iowa
Patterson is a city in Madison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 126 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, Bevington
Bevington, Iowa
Bevington is a city in Madison and Warren Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 58 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, Martensdale
Martensdale, Iowa
Martensdale is a city in Warren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 467 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, Spring Hill
Spring Hill, Iowa
Spring Hill is a city in Warren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 92 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and Carlisle
Carlisle, Iowa
Carlisle is a city in Warren and Polk counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 3,497 at the 2000 census. The city is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area....
. A substantial portion of the Middle River's course through Warren County has been straightened and channelized. It joins the Des Moines River in Warren County near Carlisle, 13 miles (20.9 km) southeast of Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
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A short headwaters tributary of the river is known as the South Fork Middle River.