West Fork of the Little Sioux River
Encyclopedia
West Fork of the Little Sioux River is a river in the United States
. Approximately 95 miles (152.9 km) long, it courses through northwest Iowa
, rising north of Marcus
in Cherokee County
and flowing generally southwest through farmland in Plymouth
and Woodbury
counties until the meandered (old) streambed finally meets the Little Sioux River
near Turin
in Monona County
. However, the lower portion of the river, where the stream leaves the Loess Hills and enters the Missouri River
floodplain near Holly Springs, Iowa, has been extensively channelized. Across this floodplain, most of the flow is actually carried by the Garretson and West Fork drainage ditches, which join to become the Monona-Harrison Ditch, which in turn enters the Missouri just upstream from the mouth of the Little Sioux in Harrison County
. Thus, today the waters of the West Fork of the Little Sioux are no longer functionally tributary to the Little Sioux River proper.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Approximately 95 miles (152.9 km) long, it courses through northwest 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...
, rising north of Marcus
Marcus, Iowa
Marcus is a city in Cherokee County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,139 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Marcus is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
in Cherokee County
Cherokee County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,072 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,777 housing units, of which 5,207 were occupied.-2000 census:...
and flowing generally southwest through farmland in Plymouth
Plymouth County, Iowa
Plymouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 24,986 in the 2010 census, an increase from 24,849 in the 2000 census. The county seat is Le Mars...
and Woodbury
Woodbury County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 102,172 in the county, with a population density of . There were 41,454 housing units, of which 39,052 were occupied.-2000 census:...
counties until the meandered (old) streambed finally meets the Little Sioux River
Little Sioux River
The Little Sioux is a river in the United States. It rises in southwest Minnesota near the Iowa border, and continues to flow southwest for across northwest Iowa into the Missouri River at Little Sioux. The Little Sioux River was known as Eaneah-waudepon or "Stone River" to the Sioux Indians...
near Turin
Turin, Iowa
Turin is a city in Monona County, Iowa, United States. The population was 75 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Turin is located at...
in Monona County
Monona County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 9,243 in the county, with a population density of . There were 4,697 housing units, of which 4,050 were occupied.-2000 census:...
. However, the lower portion of the river, where the stream leaves the Loess Hills and enters the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
floodplain near Holly Springs, Iowa, has been extensively channelized. Across this floodplain, most of the flow is actually carried by the Garretson and West Fork drainage ditches, which join to become the Monona-Harrison Ditch, which in turn enters the Missouri just upstream from the mouth of the Little Sioux in Harrison County
Harrison County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 14,928 in the county, with a population density of . There were 6,731 housing units, of which 5,987 were occupied.-2000 census:...
. Thus, today the waters of the West Fork of the Little Sioux are no longer functionally tributary to the Little Sioux River proper.