The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-10-09
THE RIVERS OF IOWA.

The Dubuque Herald is furnished by a
correspondent with the following interesting
article on the rivers Of our State:
The Mississippi river borders the whole
eastern limits of Iowa, and many other riv-
crs, with numerous branches run nearly the
whole length Of the State, while the Missouri
river borders three-fourths of the whole
western limits. Numerous streams flow
south and south westerly into the Missouri,
and all the larger rivers of the interior flow
south eastcrly into the Mississippi. The
largest Of these, the Dcs Moines, rises in the
western part of Minnesota, runs diagonally
across the State to its south least corner,
flowing through fifteen counties, distance
by the course of the river, of over three
hundred mics. Skunk river also empties
into the Mississippi thirty miles above the
mouth Of the Des Moines, and waters with
its branches the principal part Of the coun-
ties.
The next river OF Importance proceed
ing northward is the Iowa two hundred
miles long, flowing through or near thirteen
counties, and emptics into the Mississippi
about midway between Burlington and Mus
catine.
The Red Cedar river, with several long
branches, for long distance nearly parallel
to the main river, and like it nearly parallel
to the Iowa and Wapsipincon, running
twenty to thirty miles from it, flows from
the line of Minnesota nearly two hundred
and fifty miles, principally watering fifteen
counties, and emptes into the Iowa about
fifteen miles in direct line from the Missis-
sippi.
Wapsipinicon rises in Minnesota, is over
two hundred miles long, partly waters ten
counties, and reaches the Mississippi about
thirty miles above Davenport.
The Maquoketa is about hundred miles
long, runs through five or six counties, and
empties into the Mississippi ten miles below
Bellevue.
Turkey river, with its numerous tributa-
ries, is about ninety miles long, flows through
five counties, and reaches the Mississippi
about thirty miles above Dubuque. Inc
Upper Iowa river partially waters Two coun-
ties, md empties into the Mississippi at the
north east corner of the State.
large portion of the southern part of
the State is well watered by branches of the
Fox, Grand, Nodaway and Nishnabotany
rivers flowing into the State of Missouri
Little Sioux, Floyd, and Big Sioux rivers
reach the Missouri within the limits of Iowa.
Many streams not enumerated, from twenty
to fifty miles long, reach the rivers that Dor
der the State on the enst and west, and many
of the branches of the rivers named IRE more
than fifty miles long.
Nearly all the rivers of Iowa have q rapid
current, aiiordlng numerous mill sites, espe-
clally those IN the northern half of tht State.
MANY OF them have rocky ora pebbly
bottom Throughout their whole extent, and
are well supplied with excellent fish.
The strong current Of the Upper Missis-
sippi from St. Paul to St. LOUSY is we'll
known, and the fact that three fourths of
Iowa is drained by..that part Of its river sys.
tenn tributary to the Father of Waters pro-
Aes such descent towards the south as would
prevent the occurrence of any sluggish
streams. The Missouri is not less rapid in
its course, aud the western part Of the State
is therefore equally veil drained The ra-
putty OK rivers, in u country like Iowa,
destitute of mountains, may generally be
inferred from their direct course. Some of
these rivers do not vary from direct line
more than ten miles in hundred.
There is not poorly watered county in
the State, nor township but has some stream
flowing through it, and but few sections of
land deprecated in value for want of prox-
Unity to water. The strata Of rock generally
dip to the south or the southwest, and in
the few spots that may be foundrnot suf-
fcicntly supplied with springs, Us upon some
Of the prairies, wells sunk to the fish stra-
jun Of rock, usually from ten TO twenty FIVE
feet, afford equally good water. An exam
ination of the map will show there is not
State in the Union better watercd than
Iowa
cy \ clergyman was lately depicting.
before deeply interested audience, the
alarming increase of intem7erance, when he
astonished his hearers by excla;ming: ga
young woman in my peighborhood died very