Yellow River (Iowa)
Encyclopedia
The Yellow River is a 53.5 miles (86.1 km) tributary of the Mississippi River
in northeastern Iowa
. It originates in southwestern Winneshiek County
and flows through southern Allamakee County
, receiving tributaries from northern Clayton County
, before joining the Mississippi near Marquette
and Effigy Mounds National Monument
.
Much of the river's course is very scenic, coursing between vegetated limestone cliffs. The watershed is located in northeastern Iowa’s unglaciated Driftless Area. The catchment measures 154666 acre and is mainly state forest or farmland. Much of the region is quite rugged, and little urban development has encroached upon it.
Its beauty, lack of development, recreational potential and interesting wildlife habitats make it a candidate for development as a park. The state has developed Yellow River State Forest
over time (the lavender parts of the map here). Effigy Mounds National Monument has also grown, either by direct purchase or from gifts.
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...
in northeastern 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...
. It originates in southwestern Winneshiek County
Winneshiek County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 21,056 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,721 housing units, of which 7,997 were occupied.-2000 census:...
and flows through southern Allamakee County
Allamakee County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 14,330 in the county, with a population density of . There were 7,617 housing units, of which 5,845 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, receiving tributaries from northern Clayton County
Clayton County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 18,129 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,999 housing units, of which 7,599 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, before joining the Mississippi near Marquette
Marquette, Iowa
Marquette is a city in Clayton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 421 at the 2000 census. The city, which is located on the Mississippi River, is named after Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette, who along with Louis Joliet discovered the Mississippi River just southeast of the city on...
and Effigy Mounds National Monument
Effigy Mounds National Monument
Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves three prehistoric sites in Allamakee County and Clayton County, Iowa in the midwestern United States.-Mounds:...
.
Much of the river's course is very scenic, coursing between vegetated limestone cliffs. The watershed is located in northeastern Iowa’s unglaciated Driftless Area. The catchment measures 154666 acre and is mainly state forest or farmland. Much of the region is quite rugged, and little urban development has encroached upon it.
Its beauty, lack of development, recreational potential and interesting wildlife habitats make it a candidate for development as a park. The state has developed Yellow River State Forest
Yellow River State Forest
Yellow River State Forest is partly forested land owned by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. It is located in the southeastern corner of Allamakee County, the most northeasterly of Iowa's counties...
over time (the lavender parts of the map here). Effigy Mounds National Monument has also grown, either by direct purchase or from gifts.
External links
- National Parks Service Yellow River Initiative
- Yellow River State Forest, Iowa DNR site
- Yellow River Watershed Initiative
- Dennis Lenzendorf, "History of The Yellow River Watershed Area", Retrieved July 8, 2007