Crow River (Minnesota) facts for kids

The Crow River is an important river in south-central Minnesota, United States. It flows into the mighty Mississippi River. Think of it as a smaller stream that joins a bigger one! The Crow River collects water from a large area, called a watershed, which is about 2,756 square miles wide.

Where Did the Name Come From?

The Ojibwe people, who are Native Americans, gave the North Fork of the Crow River its name. They called the crow bird the "marauder of newly planted corn." This means the crows would often try to eat the corn that was just planted. So, the river was named after these clever birds!

The River's Journey

The Crow River actually starts from two main branches: the North Fork and the South Fork. These two branches meet up at a town called Rockford. From there, the Crow River flows for about 39.9 kilometers (or 24.8 miles) towards the northeast. It eventually reaches and joins the Mississippi River.

Along its way, the Crow River passes through several towns. These include Greenfield, Hanover, St. Michael, Otsego, and Dayton. The river finally enters the Mississippi River from the south, right where Otsego and Dayton meet.

Images for kids

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  The Crow River near Delano, Minnesota

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  Crow River at Rockford, Minnesota