Portage River (Moose Horn River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Portage River |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Minnesota |
The Portage River is a small river in eastern Minnesota, United States. It's about 8.8-mile-long (14.2 km), which is like driving for 15 minutes at highway speed! This river is a "tributary," meaning it's a smaller stream that flows into a larger one. The Portage River eventually joins the Moose Horn River.
The Portage River's Journey
The Portage River starts in eastern Minnesota and flows west. It meets the Moose Horn River at a place called Moosehead Lake, which is near the city of Moose Lake.
From there, the water from the Portage River continues its long journey. It flows into the Kettle River, then into the St. Croix River. Finally, all these waters join the mighty Mississippi River, which carries them all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
A Nearby River with a Different Path
Interestingly, just east of the Portage River, there's another stream called Nemadji Creek. But Nemadji Creek flows in a completely different direction! It flows east into the Nemadji River, which then empties into Lake Superior. Lake Superior is one of the Great Lakes and its waters eventually reach the Saint Lawrence River and then the Atlantic Ocean. This shows how close two different major water basins can be!
Why Is It Called "Portage"?
The Portage River got its name because it was once part of an important "portage" route. A portage is a path over land that connects two bodies of water. Imagine you're traveling by canoe or boat, and you reach a spot where two rivers or lakes are close but not connected. You would have to carry your boat and supplies across the land to get to the next waterway. This act of carrying is called a portage.
Long ago, people used this area to move between different rivers and lakes. The Portage River was a key part of that route, making it easier for travelers to get around.
