Yellow River (Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yellow River |
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Yellow River map
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| Country | US |
| State | Iowa |
| District | Winnisheik County, Iowa, Allamakee County, Iowa |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Mississippi River 43°05′06″N 91°10′52″W / 43.085°N 91.181°W |
The Yellow River is a beautiful river in northeastern Iowa. It flows for about 53.5 miles (86.1 km). This river is a smaller stream that flows into the mighty Mississippi River.
The Yellow River starts in southwestern Winneshiek County. It then travels through southern Allamakee County. Along its journey, other small streams from northern Clayton County join it. Finally, it meets the Mississippi River near Marquette. This area is also close to the famous Effigy Mounds National Monument.
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Exploring the Yellow River's Path
The Yellow River's path is very pretty. It winds its way between tall cliffs made of limestone. These cliffs are covered with green plants. The area where the river collects its water is called a watershed. This watershed is in a special part of northeastern Iowa known as the Driftless Area.
What is the Driftless Area?
The Driftless Area is unique because glaciers did not flatten it. Most of the Midwest was covered by ice sheets long ago. But this part of Iowa, along with parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois, was missed. This means it has hills, valleys, and cliffs. It looks very different from the flat farmlands nearby.
Land Around the River
The Yellow River watershed covers a large area, about 154,666 acres (626 sq km). Most of this land is either state forest or farmland. The region is quite rugged, meaning it has many hills and uneven ground. Because of this, not many towns or cities have been built there. This helps keep the area natural and wild.
Protecting the Yellow River Area
The Yellow River is a special place. It is known for its beauty and natural wildlife. It also offers many chances for outdoor fun. Because of these reasons, people want to protect it. They hope to develop it into a park for everyone to enjoy.
Yellow River State Forest
The state of Iowa has been working to create the Yellow River State Forest. This forest covers parts of the land around the river. You can see these areas marked in lavender on the map. The state forest helps protect the natural environment. It also provides places for activities like hiking and camping.
Effigy Mounds National Monument
The Effigy Mounds National Monument is another important protected area nearby. This monument has grown over time. Some land was bought directly, and some was given as gifts. It protects ancient mounds built by Native Americans. These mounds are shaped like animals and are very important historical sites.
Images for kids
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Yellow River map
