The following is a press release from the Minnesota River Watershed Alliance:

Paddling the Minnesota River is a unique experience as it meanders its way in a southeastern direction through a mostly rural landscape until it makes a sharp turn at Mankato and than flows at an angle toward the Twin Cities. People have paddled the entire 335 miles in one trip while others have been content to try a specific section. Get out on the water to see what you are missing.

Last week I covered the upper section of the Minnesota River and today we will look at the middle stretch. New Ulm sits near the confluence of the Cottonwood and Minnesota rivers and known for its historic landmarks including Schells Brewery, Hermann Monument and the Wanda Gag Home. Here you will find three boat landings along the Minnesota River and numerous opportunities for lodging and food.

While in New Ulm, check out Flandrau State Park on the Cottonwood River with a modern campground, swimming pond and group complex area. Flandrau has miles of hiking trails, CCC-built historic buildings and a beautiful setting with scenic overlooks, heavily forested and open prairie areas.  

After paddling out of New Ulm, the stretch from here to Mankato winds its way pass a number of boat access points including the ones by Courtland and Judson. Both sites have a parking lot and a spot to get  on and off the water or just take a rest from paddling. Before you get into the greater Mankato area look for Minneopa State Park on the right-hand side of the Minnesota River.

In the 1960s after devastating flooding, the City of Mankato began to construct a ****** system to protect itself from the Minnesota River. At the confluence of the Blue Earth and Minnesota rivers you will find Land of Memories and Sibley city parks. There are camp sites, picnic shelters, drinking water and toilets.

Here the Minnesota River makes its famous bend in the channel to the northeast on the way to the Twin Cities and the confluence with the Mississippi River. After paddling out of Mankato the river moves through the large East Minnesota River State Game Refuge filled with trees, oxbows and wildlife.   

At River Mile 104 is Seven Mile Creek County Park located on the left-hand side of the Minnesota River. Seven Mile Creek County Park is found on both sides of Hwy 169 and features picnic shelters, hiking trails and a boat access. This is a perfect place to get off the river to enjoy a picnic or stretch your legs.

On the way to St. Peter, look for the limestone rock abutments of a former railroad bridge and a structure that once housed a United States Geology Survey water gage station. St Peter offers a place to find lodging, stock up on food and enjoy a little of the history and culture found only here in the Minnesota River Watershed.  

Check out the Minnesota DNR web site: www.mndnr.gov/watertrails for more information on paddling the Minnesota River and other rivers across the state. Paddling the final stretch of the Minnesota River and its tributaries will be covered in future additions of the Minnesota River Minute.

For anyone who paddles the entire Minnesota River either in one paddle or by segments, the Minnesota River Watershed Alliance is offering a paddle patch or decal as a way to help connect people to our rivers. The Minnesota River Watershed hopes their Minnesota River Paddler Program will spark a greater appreciation for the rivers and natural environment.  

The Minnesota River Minute highlights what is happening across the Minnesota River Watershed, courtesy of the Minnesota River Watershed Alliance.  This regular feature covers various aspects of the watershed including current events, history, natural characteristics, and much more.

The Minnesota River Watershed Alliance (Watershed Alliance) is an organized network of citizens, public agencies and private organizations dedicated to communicating the benefits of an ecologically healthy Minnesota River Watershed to others and are actively working toward its improvement and protection.  The Watershed Alliance meets four times a year and encourages landowners and recreational users of the river to be part of this effort.