English River (Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids English River |
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The English River at Riverside
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| District | Washington County, Iowa |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 41°30′27″N 92°03′14″W / 41.5075°N 92.0540°W |
| River mouth | Iowa River 41°29′15″N 91°30′07″W / 41.4875°N 91.50183°W |
The English River is a river in southeastern Iowa, United States. It flows into the Iowa River. This makes it a tributary of the Iowa River.
The main part of the English River is about 37.4 miles (60.2 km) long. If you include its longest starting stream, the North English River, the total length becomes about 89.2 miles (143.6 km).
Since the English River flows into the Iowa River, and the Iowa River flows into the Mississippi River, the English River is part of the huge Mississippi River watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into one main river.
A smaller stream called the Deep River also flows into the English River. Some towns in Iowa are named after these rivers, like North English, South English, and Deep River.
Contents
Where the English River Flows
The English River starts as two main parts: a north fork and a south fork. These two parts join together in the far northwestern part of Washington County, Iowa.
After they meet, the English River flows generally eastward. It travels for about 37 miles (60 km). It passes by the town of Riverside.
Finally, the English River joins the Iowa River. This meeting point is in northeastern Washington County. It is about 12 miles (19 km) south of Iowa City.
The North English River
The North English River is the longer of the two main parts of the English River. It is about 51.8 miles (83.4 km) long.
This fork starts just south of Grinnell. This area is in western Poweshiek County. It then flows generally east-southeast through Iowa County. It passes by the town of Guernsey.
In Iowa County, the North English River collects water from two smaller streams. These are the Deep River and the Middle English River. Both of these streams also start in Poweshiek County and flow eastward for short distances.
Deep River
The Deep River is a smaller stream that flows into the North English River. It begins about two miles north-northwest of Montezuma. This is in the south-central part of Poweshiek County. The land here is about 950 feet (290 meters) above sea level.
The Deep River flows generally eastward for about 15 miles (24 km). It passes on the north side of the village of Deep River, Iowa. It then reaches the North English River in the southwest part of Iowa County. The land here is about 758 feet (231 meters) above sea level.
People say the stream was named "Deep River" not because the water itself was very deep. Instead, it was because the water flowed far down from the top of the river banks.
Middle English River
The Middle English River, also known as the Middle Fork English River, is another small stream that flows into the North English River. It starts about 2 miles (3.2 km) south-southeast of the village of Deep River, Iowa. This is in the southeastern part of Poweshiek County. The land here is about 920 feet (280 meters) above sea level.
This stream flows generally eastward for about 17 miles (27 km). It joins the North English River about 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of North English. This meeting point is near the southern border of Iowa County. The land here is about 699 feet (213 meters) above sea level.
The South English River
The South English River is the other main part of the English River. It is about 48.5 miles (78.1 km) long.
This fork starts just south of Montezuma. This area is in southern Poweshiek County. It then flows generally eastward. It goes through the very northeastern part of Mahaska County and northern Keokuk County.
