A S T A T E WA T E R T R A I L G U I D E T O T H E D E S M O I N E S R I V E R

COTTONWOOD CO.
21 7 6 56
Sc f or ld he

52 3 3
Harder Lake Arnolds Lake

71

3 5

Carry-in Access
50
Swan Lake Delft

River Mile
3 S.N.A. W.M.A. 49 Long Lake

MURRAY CO.

Water Access
ONW AN Watercraft Campsite WAN T

Bartsh Lake

Designated Public Land Scientific and Natural Area Wildlife Management Area
1
RI VE R

Little Swan W.M.A. Bat Lake Delft W.M.A.

Carey Lake Long Lake

21

Campground Outfitter Rest Area

ek Cre

13

Round Lake

13

13

22

Eagle Drinking Water Lake

Maiden Lake

Mountain Lake

DES
MOINE S
RIV ER

Dam
Bingham Lake

NORTH
0 1 2 3

Oaks Lake 45 Expandere W.M.A.

Rapids

Scale in Miles

14 14
50

Municipal Airport

2 44
Carpenter W.M.A.

60 46 2
Bingham Lake

Talcot Lake W.M.A.

Talcot Lake
Talcot Lake County Park

15
Talcot Lake W.M.A.Dam Talcot

71
13
Dynamite County Park 40

1
Mountain Lake County Park

44
Warren Lake

Clear Lake

47

16

15 5
65 55 Pats Grove County Park He ron

15

60 2
Cottonwood Lake Banks W.M.A.

Bennett W.M.A.

Windom
40
String Lakes Parso Lake Mayflower Park

13 46
Sou th

13 1
Fork
Wantonwan
Rive r

62
Clear Lake

62
Barrier W.M.A.

13
Windom Dam Portage left 150 yards Island Park Wolf Lake W.M.A. 35

62 18

17
Wolf Lk. Summit Lake

NOBLES CO.

Dundee

JACKSON CO.

Voit W.M.A. Cotton-Jack W.M.A.

60
e Lak

Kinbrae Kinbrae Lake

Winkler W.M.A.

13 86 82

60

86 7 32 9 32
Duck Lake

71 Wilder
15
Timber Lake W.MA.

h Fis

k La

17

COTTONWOOD CO. JACKSON CO.

17

36 79 29 84
Laurs W.M.A. Laurs Lake 30 Des Moines River Prairie S.N.A. Christianna Bridge Christianna Bridge Campsite
No rth
Fo rk El m
. Cr

18

60
Outlet

East Graham Lake

Timber Lake

Lillegard W.M.A.

84

86 82 86
Teal Lake

21

24

82

Libra W.M.A.

Crosse W.M.A. Valleau W.M.A.

ee Cr k

Heron Lake

Graham Creek W.M.A.

Ja ck

North Marsh W.M.A.

He
North Heron W.M.A.

n ro k La e
24

30

30

Carraway W.M.A.

29

17

Route Description of the Des Moines River

NOTE: (R) and (L) represent right and left banks of the river when facing downstream.

Lake Independence

78

79 15

28

Lake Flaherty

Kilen Woods State Park

76

76 85 29

25

Holthe Prairie S.N.A.

71

RIVER MILE 68.0 Talcot Lake. Talcot Lake County Park is at the south end of Talcot Lake, water access and camping in park. 68.0 Talcot Lake Dam. 68.0 (L) Carry-in access, west of County Road 7, Talcot Lake Wildlife Management Area. 63.1 County Road 6 bridge. ek 62.2 State Highway 62 bridge. Cre 61.7 Township road bridge (360th. Avenue). 60-59.6 Brewster Winkler W.M.A. 59.1 County Road 5 bridge. 57.5 State Highway 62 bridge. 55.7 Township road bridge (390th. Avenue). 55.3 Pats Grove County Park carry-in access and campground. Not directly on the Des Moines River, located upstream on the Heron Lake outlet. 52.7 County Road 15 bridge. 48.8 County Road 14 bridge. 46.3 (L) Confluence of Scheldorf Creek. 43.7 County Road 14 bridge. 40.8 County Road 15 bridge. 40.4 (L) Dynamite County Park (a little distance from the river). 38.5 (L) Windom carry-in access. 37.0 Windom Dam, Portage left, 150 yards. City of Windom. Island Park, drinking water, picnic area. 36.9 (L) Highways 60 and 71 carry-in accesses. 36.7 (L) Island Park, picnic area, drinking water. Spafford 36.4 Small rapids. 36.1 (L) Mayflower Park carry-in access 35.5 State Highway 71 bridge. 30.5-29.5 (L) Des Moines River Prairie S.N.A. 29.1 (L) Christianna (County Road 30) Bridge canoe & boat access and picnic area. 28.7 (L) Christianna Bridge campsite. 25.5-24.6 Kilen Woods State Park on right (north segment). 24.9-24.6 Holthe Prairie S.N.A. on left. 23.3 Kilen Woods State Park. Drinking water and camping in park. Round W.M.A. Woods and virgin prairie along the river provide a contrast to the surrounding agricultural area. RoundRoad 24 bridge. 23.3 County Lake 23.2 Small Rapids. Illinois Lake 22.8 (R) County Road 19 bridge and water access. Illinois 21.7 Powerline crossing. W.M.A. 4 21.4 (L) Belmont County Park. Rest area, drinking water and watercraft Round Lake campsites available. 20.1 Small rapids. 19.8 County Road 16 bridge. 17.2 Powerline crossing. 16.1 Small rapids. 14.9 Interstate 90 bridge. 13.0 State Highway 71 bridge. Iowa Lake 12.8 (L) Ashley City Park, carry-in access, picnic area, drinking water. 12.3 (L) Jackson Dam, portage left, 200 yards. 12.3 Jackson City Power Plant Park. River right, below dam. Outfitter nearby in town. 10.8 Powerline crossing. 7.1 (R) Confluence of Stony Brook. 6.9 County Highway 25 Bridge. 3.1 (R) Petersburg carry-in access, campsites and rest area. County Road 23 bridge. 0.0 Minnesota-Iowa border.
ena Okab

Heron Lake W.M.A.

83

20
West Heron W.M.A.

I Kilen Woods State Park

Prairie Bush Clover S.N.A.

Sandy Point County Park

Community Point County Park

Power Line Crossing

So

uth

22

17 16 86
Boot Lake

18

16

16
20

Belmont County Park

Artz W.M.A.

Sparks Environmental County Park

Lakefield
14

Bootleg W.M.A.

16 19

14

Toe W.M.A.

17 14
Power Line Crossing

Fo r

16

24

24

El m

83

71
Municipal Airport

85

12

90 90
Summers W.M.A.

12

90
Clear Lake

15

34
Alpha Ashley City Park

90
10

Jackson
Jackson Dam Portage left, 200 yds.

34
Husen W.M.A.

34

34

67

Jackson City Power Plant Park

14 29
Power Line Crossing

23 86 68 9
Little Sioux W.M.A. Pietz-Klima W.M.A.

85

17 81 68 73 6
10

67
Little

Br oo k

Siou

66
x
Sioux Parks Lake

6
Pavelko W.M.A.

8 23 85

66
Brown County Park

71
S
Chandler Lake

Sioux Valley W.M.A.

Lo on

Skunk Lake Skunk W.M.A.

Riv

Sangl W.M.A. Rush Lake

Anderson County Park Pearl Lake

La k

17

y tor

4
Minneota W.M.A.

Robertson County Park

Petersburg

4 4 17 4 29 25 23

86

MINNESOTA IOWA

Growers Lake

Little Spirit Lake

2
Spirit Lake

JACKSON CO.

2012 State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources

Cr .

So uth He n ro k La e
er

29

S E N I O M S DE R RIVE
TER A W E T A STA AIL Guide TR

A STATE

WATER TRAIL

GUIDE TO THE

DES

MOINES

RIVER

The river holds a variety of secrets just waiting for you to explore. Bring your binoculars, a field guide or just your curiosity and enjoy the rivers magic.

Minnesota State Parks and Trails

12

www.mndnr.gov/watertrails

TALCOT LAKE DAM

The Des Moines River

12

flat farmland, with few trees to interrupt the broad prairie land. From Windom to Kilen Woods State Park. The river valley is bounded by low hills; willow, green ash, slippery elm, and various grasses line the banks. The banks become higher near the park; the river flows between 100-200 foot bluffs covered with oak and basswood forest. From Kilen Woods to Jackson are increasingly taller hills and bluffs, woodlands crowd the river and screen from view farm buildings and cultivated land.

Boating Information
Register your watercraft. All watercraft more than 9 feet in length, including nonmotorized canoes and kayaks, must be registered in Minnesota or your state of residence.
AT FORT BELMONT

Mi
59

nn

71

eso

ta

Marshall
75

Redwood
Co

Redwood Falls
71

tto

14

14

an Watonw

Slayton

71

NEAR CHRISTIANNA BRIDGE

nw

oo

Not all portions of this water trail are suitable for motor use.

De s
M oi ne

Windom

Travel with a companion or group.

AT COUNTY ROAD 15

Rock
75 59 90

Worthington

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Wear a U. S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device that state law requires be on board the boat for each person. Bring a first aid kit that includes waterproof matches. Bring an extra paddle in your canoe. Be cautious of river obstructions, such as overhanging and dead trees in the river.
NEAR JACKSON

AT COUNTY ROAD 14

This information is available in alternative format upon request.

Minnesota State Parks and Trails Area Office

175 County Road 26 Windom, MN 56101-2921 507-831-2918

Online water trail route information and maps can be found at www.mndnr.gov/watertrails DNR Information Center
The DNRs Information Center is available to provide free publications of facilities and services as well as answers questions pertaining to DNR recreational opportunities in Minnesota.

The DNR Information Center

500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 651-296-6157 (Metro Area) 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367 MN Toll-Free) TTY: 651-296-5484 (Metro Area) TTY: 1-800-657-3929 (MN Toll-Free)

s
90

The Des Moines River flows through a flat, iron shaped plateau, called the Coteau de Prairies by early french explorers. The bedrock is similar to that of the Red River Valley of the north, with generally sedimentary rocks covered by typical glacial deposits. Stream flow usually peaks in early to mid-April. Heavy rains can cause the river to flood. Because there are few rapids to cause canoeists problems in low water, the level is usually sufficient for canoeing. From the Talcott Lake Dam to the Iowa line, the river drops 135 feet, an average of 1.98 feet per mile. The Des Moines River has few rapids, and none are more difficult than Class I. Several dams must be portaged. Downed trees and logjams can present a hazard occasionally. From the Talcott Lake dam access to Windom, the Des Moines travels through

Wildlife
White-tailed deer, beaver, squirrels, mink, muskrats, wood ducks, mallards, turtles. A variety of bird life exists, including owls, hawks, bank swallows, baltimore orioles, blue herons and kingfishers.

Choose a distance that is comfortable for you, most people paddle two to three river miles per hour.

Sustainable Ecosystems
Outdoor recreation is dependent on a healthy and attractive natural environment. Sustainable outdoor recreation enables people to enjoy the outdoors without negative impacts on the environment. Communities working together can improve water resources by promoting environmentally sensitive land use practices along rivers and throughout watersheds. Natural shoreline buffers improve water quality by filtering out pollutants and sediments. Healthy and diverse native shoreline plant communities are attractive and provide important shoreline habitat for birds and wildlife.
Natural Shorelands
40% evaporation 10% runoff

Rest Areas and Camping Sites

Public rest areas are available along the route to rest, picnic and explore. Camp only in designated campsites, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring drinking water. It is only available at a limited number of rest areas. Drinking river water is not recommended, but if you do it must be treated. Respect private property. Stop only at designated sites; much of the shoreland is private property. Be sanitary! Use designated toilet facilities or bury human waste away from the river.

You must pack out all trash. Leave only footprints; take only photographs! Water levels can speed or slow you down. You can get information about water levels from the regional DNR office, the DNR website, or the DNR Information Center. Remember that much of the shorelands are privately owned. Respect and protect the water and shorelands.

Fishing
Northern pike, walleye, crappie, channel catfish, yellow perch, black bullheads.

Planning A Safe River Trip

A successful river trip is safe. To enjoy a safe journey, you should be prepared by doing the following:
KILEN WOODS STATE PARK

50% infiltration

www.mndnr.gov
You can make a difference by joining the DNR Adopt-a-River Program. Be a clean up volunteer for a portion of your favorite recreation area. Call the DNR Information Center for a brochure. Cover Photo: Town of Jackson All photos: DNR 2012 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Altered Shorelands
30% evaporation 55% runoff 15% infiltration

Get acquainted with your route. Plan your trip with a map before you depart and advise someone of your plans including planned departure and arrival times.
DES MOINES RIVER PRAIRIE SCIENTIFIC AND NATURAL AREA