Minnesota River

From Mankatopedia

The Minnesota River, a 332-mile tributary of the Mississippi River, flows through Mankato in the Minnesota River Valley. It roughly divides Mankato and North Mankato, although portions of Mankato are north of the river.

The river flows from New Ulm, northwest of Mankato. It flows past Land of Memories and Sibley parks, where the Blue Earth River joins it. From there, it flows under the Highway 169 North Star Bridge and makes a relatively sharp turn northward. It continues under the Veterans Memorial Bridge, then under the Highway 14 bridge, and finally leaves Mankato past Kiwanis Park on its way toward St. Peter. An earthen and concrete flood barrier on both sides of the river hides most of it from view except from the parks or when crossing a bridge.

The Minnesota River Trail follows the river on its route through Mankato.

There are boat landings in Land of Memories, Sibley, and Kiwanis parks. An additional landing is located next to the Highway 169 N entrance ramp coming from the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Looking north (downstream) at the Minnesota River, about half a mile north of the Veterans Memorial Bridge

The Flood Control Project, completed in its current form in 1989, added walls to both sides of the Minnesota River, as seen in this photo from the Veterans Memorial Bridge. On the right is Highway 169.