Cloquet River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cloquet River |
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Map of the Saint Louis River drainage basin showing the Cloquet River
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| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Cloquet Lake, Silver Creek Township, Lake County, Minnesota |
| River mouth | Saint Louis River at Culver Township, St. Louis County, Minnesota |
| Length | 104 miles (167 km) |
The Cloquet River is a 104-mile-long (167 km) river located in Minnesota, United States. It is a very important river because it is the main tributary of the Saint Louis River. A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Cloquet River's Story
The Cloquet River has had a few different names over time! Its current name, Cloquet (pronounced kloh-KAY), comes from a long history.
Original Name: A River That Parallels
Long ago, the Ojibwe people lived near this river. They called it Gaa-biitootigweyaag-ziibi. This means "River that parallels the Saint Louis River". It's a great description of how the two rivers flow side-by-side for a while.
Early Maps and New Names
When explorers started mapping the area, they sometimes gave the river different names.
- In 1823, on a map made during an expedition by Stephen H. Long, the river was called "Rapid River".
- A few years later, in 1826, David Thompson's map didn't even name the river at all! This map was made to help figure out the border between countries.
How It Got Its Current Name
Finally, in 1843, a map by Joseph N. Nicollet showed the river with the name we use today: Cloquet River. This name has stuck ever since.
Where Does the Cloquet River Flow?
The Cloquet River starts as a small stream and grows as it travels. It generally flows towards the southwest.
The River's Journey
As it makes its way, the river passes through several lakes:
- Indian Lake
- Alden Lake
- Island Lake
After flowing through these lakes, the Cloquet River finally empties into the larger Saint Louis River.
Upper and Lower Parts of the River
You can think of the river as having two main parts:
- The Upper Stretch: This part begins at Cloquet Lake in Lake County. Here, it's just a small stream. It continues until it reaches Island Lake.
- The Lower Stretch: After Island Lake, the river continues its journey until it joins the Saint Louis River.
Rivers That Join the Cloquet
Several smaller rivers and streams flow into the Cloquet River, adding to its water. These are its tributaries. Some of them include:
- The Us-kab-wan-ka River
- The Beaver River
- The Little Cloquet River
