The Upper Iowa River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the upper Midwest of the United States. The United States Geological Survey ( USGS) is a scientific agency of the United States government. The Mississippi River is the second longest River in the United States, with a length of from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to The United States of America —commonly referred to as the
Its headwaters are in southeastern Minnesota, in Mower County (Le Roy and Lodi townships) near the border with Iowa. Minnesota ( Native Americans demonstrated the name to early settlers Mower County (named for John Edward Mower) is a County located in the A civil township is a widely used unit of Local government in the United States, subordinate to a county. The State of Iowa ( is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States of America. It then flows through the Iowa counties of Howard Winnesheik and Allamakee and finally into the Upper Mississippi River. A county is a Land area of Regional Government within a larger State. Howard County is a County located in the US state of Iowa. As of 2000 the population is 9932 Winneshiek County is a County located in the US state of Iowa. Allamakee County is the northeastern-most County located in the U WikipediaCiting sources --> See also Mississippi River The Upper Mississippi Along its course, it passes through the Iowa cities of Chester, Lime Springs, Florenceville, Kendallville, and Decorah. A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status Chester is a city in Howard County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the city population was 151 Lime Springs is a city in Howard County, Iowa, United States. Florenceville is an unincorporated village located in Howard County, Iowa, United States. Decorah is a city in and the County seat of Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States. Its watershed comprises nearly 641,000 acres (2,590 km²).
The Upper Iowa and its tributaries are part of the Driftless Area of Iowa, a region that was ice-free during the last ice age. The Driftless Area or Paleozoic Plateau is a region in the American Midwest noted mainly for its deeply carved river valleys "Last glacial" redirects here For the period of maximum glacier extent during this time see Last Glacial Maximum The last glacial period Unlike areas to the south and west, the area was not planed down by glaciation or covered in glacial drift, with the result that there are steep, high-walled canyons that little resembles what one normally sees in Iowa rivers in the western and southern regions of the state. The lack of any serious development makes this the only river in Iowa eligible for designation as a National Wild and Scenic River. National Wild and Scenic River is a designation for certain Protected areas in the United States. It has not yet attained this status, partly because much of the land and the riverbottom itself are privately owned.
It is an excellent river for canoeing, taking paddlers through the scenic bluff country. A canoe is a small narrow Boat, typically human-powered though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors Many put their canoes in at Kendallville or down river from there, but some more intrepid paddlers prefer to start at Lime Springs by the Lidtke Mill or at Florenceville. Lidtke Mill is a historic site on the Upper Iowa River located in the "Old Town" area of Lime Springs, Iowa.
A number of wildlife refuges and preserves dot the river's basin. Bird sightings on the river usually include bald eagles, great blue herons, turkey vultures, and barn swallows. The Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a Bird of prey found in North America that is most recognizable as the national bird and The Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, is a wading Bird in the Heron family Ardeidae, common over most of North and Central The Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura, also known in some North American regions as the Turkey Buzzard (or just "buzzard" is a Bird The Barn Swallow ( Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of Swallow in the world
In April 2007, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation announced the purchase of 1,224 acres (5 km²) of additional land; currently off limits to the public, stabilization and restoration work will be done to the riverbank, with removal of non-native vegetation and replanting with more appropriate species.
See also
Sources and External Links
- Statistics on watershed (*.pdf) (retrieved 5 April 2007)
- Water level (NOAA) (retrieved 31 March 2007)
- Watershed map (retrieved 31 March 2007)
- Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (retrieved 21 March 2007)
- Upper Iowa River Watershed Project (retrieved 31 March 2007)
- Lime Springs to French Creek Bridge *pdf format (retrieved 31 March 2007)
- Kayaking site (retrieved 31 March 2007)
- Acquisition of 1224 acres (from Waukon, Standard) (retrieved 5 April 2007)
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