Thief River facts for kids
The Thief River is a river in northwestern Minnesota, USA. It is about 40 miles (65 km) long. This river flows into the Red Lake River. From there, its water travels through the Red River of the North to Lake Winnipeg. Finally, it reaches Hudson Bay through the Nelson River. This means the Thief River is part of the huge watershed that drains into Hudson Bay.
Where the Thief River Flows
The Thief River starts at Thief Lake. This lake is in northeastern Marshall County, Minnesota. The river then flows mostly towards the southwest. It ends in a city called Thief River Falls. This city is in northwestern Pennington County. Along its path, the river also goes through the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is a special protected area for animals.
Rivers Joining the Thief River
Many smaller streams and rivers flow into the Thief River. For example, Thief Lake collects water from the Moose River. The Thief River itself also collects water from the Mud River. The Mud River joins the Thief River inside the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge.
How the Thief River Got Its Name
The city of Thief River Falls gets its name from the river. The name of the river comes from an old Ojibwe phrase. This phrase is Gimood-akiwi ziibi. It means "Stolen-land river" or "Thieving Land river."
This name came from a story long ago. A group of Dakota people once had a hidden camp along the river. The neighboring Ojibwe people later discovered this camp. The name "Thief River" remembers this historical event.
