Blue Earth River

The Blue Earth River (Dakota: Makhátho Wakpá) is a tributary of the Minnesota River, 108 miles (174 km) long, in southern Minnesota in the United States. Two of its headwaters tributaries, the Middle Branch Blue Earth River and the West Branch Blue Earth River, also flow for short distances in northern Iowa. By volume, it is the Minnesota River's largest tributary, accounting for 46% of the Minnesota's flow at the rivers' confluence in Mankato. Via the Minnesota River, the Blue Earth River is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of 3,486 square miles (9,030 km2) in an agricultural region. Ninety percent of the river's watershed is in Minnesota. It is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources designated Water Trail.

Blue Earth River
Makhátho Wakpá, Makato Osa Watapa
The Blue Earth River as viewed from Rapidan Dam in Blue Earth County in 2007
EtymologyEnglish translation of the Dakota name for the river's blue-green clay
Location
CountryUnited States
StateIowa, Minnesota
Physical characteristics
SourceMiddle Branch Blue Earth River
  locationnear Rake, Winnebago County, Iowa
  coordinates43°27′30″N 93°48′04″W
  elevation1,207 ft (368 m)
2nd sourceWest Branch Blue Earth River
  locationnear Swea City, Kossuth County, Iowa
  coordinates43°24′13″N 94°17′38″W
  elevation1,152 ft (351 m)
Source confluence 
  locationElmore Township, Faribault County, Minnesota
  coordinates43°34′20″N 94°06′11″W
  elevation1,076 ft (328 m)
MouthMinnesota River
  location
Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minnesota
  coordinates
44°09′51″N 94°02′13″W
  elevation
765 ft (233 m)
Length108 mi (174 km)
Basin size3,486 sq mi (9,030 km2)
Discharge 
  locationRapidan Township, Minnesota
  average1,076 cu ft/s (30.5 m3/s)
  minimum6.9 cu ft/s (0.20 m3/s)
  maximum43,100 cu ft/s (1,220 m3/s)
Basin features
Tributaries 
  leftWatonwan River
  rightEast Branch Blue Earth River, Le Sueur River
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