TheRoot River flows for 80 miles (130 km)[1] through theDriftless Area of southeasternMinnesota and is a tributary of theUpper Mississippi River. The Root River is formed by three branches, the North, South and Middle branches of the Root River and the South Fork Root River. It is an excellent river forcanoeing and fishing. The gentle to moderate flowing river drops an average of 3.4 ft/mile fromChatfield, Minnesota, to its pour point in the Mississippi River intoNavigation Pool 7 just south ofLa Crosse, Wisconsin and east ofHokah, Minnesota.
Root River is an English translation of theDakota-language name Hokah.[2]
The Root River is formed by the merger of itsNorth Branch Root River andMiddle Fork Root River inChatfield, Minnesota. A mile and a half north ofLanesboro, Minnesota it is joined by theSouth Branch Root River.[2][3][4][5] TheSouth Fork Root River joins the Root River nearHouston, Minnesota.[6][7]
TheSouth Branch Root River rises inMower County as agricultural drainage ditches, which disappear underground, re-emerging as a much cooler stream[8] atMystery Cave nearPreston, Minnesota. The 48°F water creates superb conditions forbrook trout.[4][7]
The Root River and its tributaries lie within Minnesota'sDriftless Area, a region which missed being glaciated during the lastice age, i.e., theWisconsinian glaciation.[7]
At Houston, the Root River's discharge was 845.2 cubic feet per second in 1961.[9][10]
Many fish species such asbrook trout,rainbow trout,brown trout,smallmouth bass,rock bass,channel catfish,crappies,shorthead redhorse,river redhorse,golden redhorse,silver redhorse,shovelnose sturgeon,greater redhorse,black redhorse,northern hogsuckers, andwhite suckers inhabit the river. The Root River system provides habitat to a number of bird species.Red-tailed hawks andbald eagles can be found in the area.Blue herons,wild turkeys, andwood ducks are also commonly seen. Numerous mammals can be spotted in the region includingdeer,gray fox,red fox,coyotes,raccoons,squirrels, andbadgers.
TheRoot River State Trail is a 42-mile-long (68 km) trail for bicycling, hiking, skating, skiing, etc. It begins inFountain and continues throughLanesboro,Whalan,Peterson,Rushford, andHouston.
As a result of the2007 Midwest flooding, the river rose to 19 feet (5.8 m), about a foot short of the height of thedike protecting the town ofHouston.[11]
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