Little Elk River facts for kids

The Little Elk River is a river in Minnesota, United States. It flows for about 29.4-mile-long (47.3 km). This river is a smaller stream that eventually joins the mighty Mississippi River. You can find it in Morrison County.

Exploring the Little Elk River

The Little Elk River is an important part of the natural landscape in Morrison County. It helps carry water from smaller areas into the larger Mississippi River. Rivers like the Little Elk are vital for the environment. They provide homes for many plants and animals. They also offer places for people to enjoy nature.

Wildlife and Nature's Comeback

Near the town of Randall, you'll find the Little Elk Wildlife Management Area. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources looks after this special place. It's designed to protect wildlife.

Years ago, a wall called a dike was built on the river. This dike created a large wetland, about 400 acres big. Wetlands are like natural sponges. They are super important for many animals, especially birds like ducks and geese. These birds, called waterfowl, loved the wetland.

However, in 1999, there were very heavy rains. The dike broke, and the wetland drained away. This was a big loss for the wildlife. But people didn't give up! Four years later, in 2003, work began to build a new and better dike. This project used money from the government. Thanks to these efforts, the wetland was restored. It once again became a safe home for waterfowl and other creatures.

A Glimpse into History

The Little Elk River also has a bit of history. Long ago, before the Little Falls Dam was built, there was a water power mill. This mill was located right where the Little Elk River joins the Mississippi River. Water power mills used the force of flowing water to turn machinery. They were very important for grinding grain or sawing wood in the past. The dam changed the river's flow, and the mill eventually stopped working.