Minnesota River facts for kids
The Minnesota River is an important river in the United States. It flows through the state of Minnesota in the northern part of the country. This river is a tributary, which means it flows into a larger river. The Minnesota River flows into the mighty Mississippi River. It is about 534 kilometers (332 miles) long.
Where the River Starts and Flows
The Minnesota River begins in a lake in western Minnesota. This lake is called Big Stone Lake. Big Stone Lake sits right on the border between Minnesota and South Dakota. From there, the Minnesota River flows towards the southeast. When it reaches the city of Mankato, the river changes direction. It then turns and flows towards the northeast. Finally, the Minnesota River joins the Mississippi River. This meeting point is just south of the big cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
How the River Was Formed
The Minnesota River was created a very long time ago. It formed after the last ice age ended in North America. During an ice age, huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, cover much of the land. As the last ice age finished, these glaciers began to melt. A massive amount of water flowed across the land. This powerful meltwater carved out the wide valley where the Minnesota River now flows. The river we see today is much smaller than the huge ancient river that created its valley.
Images for kids
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The Minnesota River Valley and its smaller streams, seen from above near Redwood Falls, Minnesota. The river itself is only a small part of the large valley carved by the ancient Glacial River Warren.
See also
In Spanish: Río Minesota para niños
