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Water resources of the Mississippi and Sauk Rivers Watershed, central Minnesota

Hydrologic Atlas 534
Prepared in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Waters, Soils, and Minerals
By: , and 

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Abstract

A variety of glacial landforms (moraines, till plains, drumlin fields and outwash plains) characterized the 3,890-square mile Mississippi and Sauk Rivers watershed.

Underlying the glacial drift are Cambrian and Precambrian sedimentary rocks in the southeastern part of the watershed and Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks elsewhere.

Surface drainage is entirely to the Mississippi River, the largest tributary being the Sauk River, which drains an area of about 970 square miles. The Mississippi follows a regional topographic low and transects the watershed from north to south. Greatest relief is in the morainal area in the west-central part of the watershed. The outwash plain in the southeastern part of the watershed and associated terrace deposits along the Mississippi River form a large area of relatively low relief. Details of topography are shown on 7 ½ and 15’ U.S. Geological Survey quadrangle maps, as indexed.

Agriculture is the major economic activity. Small communities are scattered throughout the watershed; most larger municipalities and related development are concentrated along the Mississippi River.

Lakes and streams offer good recreational opportunities.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Water resources of the Mississippi and Sauk Rivers Watershed, central Minnesota
Series title Hydrologic Atlas
Series number 534
DOI 10.3133/ha534
Year Published 1975
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Minnesota Water Science Center
Description 3 Plates: 52.0 x 39.5 inches
Country United States
State Minnesota
Other Geospatial Mississippi and Sauk Rivers watershed
Scale 250000
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details