Des Moines River

Catchment area of ​​the Des Moines River

The Des Moines River above Ottumwa ( Iowa)

It rises in southern Minnesota, Iowa by flowing from northwest to southeast and finally empties into the Mississippi at Keokuk. The state capital, Des Moines Iowa owes this largest river its name.

The origin of the name is not entirely clear. Originally, he was probably so named by French explorers La Rivière des Moines, " Monk river ". However, there are other theories.

Before the construction of major rail lines (about 1860) of Des Moines was the main transportation route through Iowa. During a historic flood in 1993, the city Des Moines and adjacent communities had to be evacuated in part.

Places that are on this river

  • Algona
  • Armstrong
  • Bonaparte
  • Chillicothe
  • Currie
  • Dakota City
  • Des Moines
  • Douds
  • Eddyville
  • Eldon
  • Estherville
  • Farmington
  • Fort Dodge
  • Fraser
  • Graettinger
  • Humboldt
  • Jackson
  • Johnston
  • Keokuk
  • Keosauqua
  • Lehigh
  • Leando
  • Ottumwa
  • Rutland
  • Windom

Other Names

According to the Geographic Names Information System is / was the Des Moines River also known as:

  • La Riviere des Moins
  • Le Moine River
  • Monk River
  • Nadouessioux River
  • Outontantes River
  • River Demoin
  • River of the Maskoutens
  • River of the Peouareas
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