Skunk River
Encyclopedia
The Skunk River is a 93 miles (149.7 km) tributary of the Mississippi River
in the state of Iowa
in the United States
.
It rises in two branches, the South Skunk (185 miles (297.7 km) long) and the North Skunk (129 miles (207.6 km) long). The headwaters of the South Skunk are in Hamilton County
in north central Iowa. It flows roughly due southward, to the west of Interstate 35
, and passes through the city of Ames
, before turning southeasterly. In Keokuk County
, it is joined by the North Skunk, which has its headwaters in Marshall County
. It then proceeds southeastward and flows into the Mississippi about five miles south of the city of Burlington
.
The Sauk and Meskwaki
referred to the Skunk River as "Shecaqua".
Species of fish found in the Skunk River include smallmouth bass, catfish, carp, bluegill, sheephead, bullhead, and largemouth bass.
Iowa State University
's "Skunk River Navy" is regularly headed off by 'Admiral' Jim Colbert. Students can participate voluntarily or for extra credit. This has been occurring every year since 1998 and over 60 tons of trash have been removed from various sections of the river over 12 years.
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
in the state of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
It rises in two branches, the South Skunk (185 miles (297.7 km) long) and the North Skunk (129 miles (207.6 km) long). The headwaters of the South Skunk are in Hamilton County
Hamilton County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 15,673 in the county, with a population density of . There were 7,219 housing units, of which 6,540 were occupied.-2000 census:...
in north central Iowa. It flows roughly due southward, to the west of Interstate 35
Interstate 35
Interstate 35 is a north–south Interstate Highway in the central United States. I-35 stretches from Laredo, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border to Duluth, Minnesota, at Minnesota Highway 61 and 26th Avenue East. Many interstates used to have splits or spurs indicated with suffixed letters , but I-35...
, and passes through the city of Ames
Ames, Iowa
Ames is a city located in the central part of the U.S. state of Iowa in Story County, and approximately north of Des Moines. The U.S. Census Bureau designates that Ames, Iowa metropolitan statistical area as encompassing all of Story County, and which, when combined with the Boone, Iowa...
, before turning southeasterly. In Keokuk County
Keokuk County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 10,511 in the county, with a population density of . There were 4,931 housing units, of which 4,408 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, it is joined by the North Skunk, which has its headwaters in Marshall County
Marshall County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 40,648 in the county, with a population density of . There were 16,831 housing units, of which 15,538 were occupied.-2000 census:...
. It then proceeds southeastward and flows into the Mississippi about five miles south of the city of Burlington
Burlington, Iowa
Burlington is a city in, and the county seat of Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,663 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 26,839 population in the 2000 census. Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area including West Burlington, Iowa and Middletown, Iowa and...
.
The Sauk and Meskwaki
Meskwaki
The Meskwaki are a Native American people often known to outsiders as the Fox tribe. They have often been closely linked to the Sauk people. In their own language, the Meskwaki call themselves Meshkwahkihaki, which means "the Red-Earths." Historically their homelands were in the Great Lakes region...
referred to the Skunk River as "Shecaqua".
Species of fish found in the Skunk River include smallmouth bass, catfish, carp, bluegill, sheephead, bullhead, and largemouth bass.
Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
's "Skunk River Navy" is regularly headed off by 'Admiral' Jim Colbert. Students can participate voluntarily or for extra credit. This has been occurring every year since 1998 and over 60 tons of trash have been removed from various sections of the river over 12 years.