The Skunk River rises in two branches, the South Skunk (185 miles (298 km) long) and the North Skunk (129 miles (208 km) long).[3] 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.
Etymologyedit
The Sauk and Meskwaki referred to the Skunk River as "Shecaqua".[4] This name was probably mistranslated; one early settler wrote, "I was informed by Frank Labisner, United States interpreter for the Sac and Fox Indians, that the name of Skunk River was a wrong interpretation. The Indian name was Checaqua. Which, in their language is anything of a strong or obnoxious smell, such as onions. I think, that from the fact that the head waters of the stream abounded with wild onions, the interpretation should be 'Onion.'"[5]
The "Skunk River Navy" was founded and led by Iowa State University biology professor 'Admiral' Jim Colbert and biology advisor 'Admiral' Jim Holtz. [original research?] The SRN operated from August 1998 to September 2017. The SRN focused on monitoring the biological diversity of the South Skunk River, and some of its tributaries, near Ames, Iowa as well as removal of trash from these streams. Participation in the SRN was primarily focused on students entering Iowa State in the biology major, though students in other majors, other ISU personnel, as well as other individuals participated. During the years of operation of the SRN approximately 2,400 volunteers participated and over 80 tons of trash were removed from the South Skunk River and some of its tributaries. The SRN also found, and reported, diesel fuel and sewage leaks into the South Skunk River, and its tributary Ioway Creek, respectively. These leaks were repaired by the City of Ames. Beginning in 2018 local paddling groups may use the name "Skunk River Navy", but the SRN is no longer under the auspices of the ISU Biology Program.
^ abcU.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Skunk River
^"USGS Current Conditions for USGS 05474000 Skunk River at Augusta, IA".
^U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map, accessed May 13, 2011
^Isaac Galland, 1840, Galland's Iowa emigrant: containing a map, and general descriptions of Iowa.
^J. C. Parrott's letter p. 48 in History of Des Moines County, Iowa., by A.M. Antrobus (1915)
External linksedit
Skunk River Navy Official Website
January 01, 1970
skunk, river, river, minnesota, platte, river, mile, long, tributary, mississippi, river, state, iowa, united, states, showing, skunk, river, including, both, branches, locationcountryunited, statesstateiowacountylee, county, iowa, moines, county, iowa, powesh. For the river in Minnesota see Skunk River Platte River The Skunk River is a 93 mile long 150 km tributary of the Mississippi River in the state of Iowa in the United States Skunk RiverMap showing the Skunk river including both branches LocationCountryUnited StatesStateIowaCountyLee County Iowa Des Moines County Iowa Poweshiek County Iowa Henry County Iowa Jefferson County Iowa Washington County Iowa Keokuk County Iowa Jasper County Iowa Story County Iowa Hamilton County Iowa Mahaska County Iowa Marshall County IowaPhysical characteristicsSource coordinates41 14 55 N 92 01 35 W 41 2486246 N 92 0262877 W 41 2486246 92 0262877 1 MouthMississippi River locationBurlington Iowa US coordinates40 41 52 N 91 06 55 W 40 6978186 N 91 1151447 W 40 6978186 91 1151447 1 elevation518 ft 158 m 1 Discharge locationAugusta Iowa average2 809 cu ft per sec 2 Basin featuresTributaries leftSouth Skunk River rightNorth Skunk River Contents 1 Geography 2 Etymology 3 Habitat 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksGeography editThe Skunk River rises in two branches the South Skunk 185 miles 298 km long and the North Skunk 129 miles 208 km long 3 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 Etymology editThe Sauk and Meskwaki referred to the Skunk River as Shecaqua 4 This name was probably mistranslated one early settler wrote I was informed by Frank Labisner United States interpreter for the Sac and Fox Indians that the name of Skunk River was a wrong interpretation The Indian name was Checaqua Which in their language is anything of a strong or obnoxious smell such as onions I think that from the fact that the head waters of the stream abounded with wild onions the interpretation should be Onion 5 Habitat editSpecies of fish found in the Skunk River include smallmouth bass gar walleye catfish carp bluegill sheephead bullhead and largemouth bass crappie sunfish citation needed The Skunk River Navy was founded and led by Iowa State University biology professor Admiral Jim Colbert and biology advisor Admiral Jim Holtz original research The SRN operated from August 1998 to September 2017 The SRN focused on monitoring the biological diversity of the South Skunk River and some of its tributaries near Ames Iowa as well as removal of trash from these streams Participation in the SRN was primarily focused on students entering Iowa State in the biology major though students in other majors other ISU personnel as well as other individuals participated During the years of operation of the SRN approximately 2 400 volunteers participated and over 80 tons of trash were removed from the South Skunk River and some of its tributaries The SRN also found and reported diesel fuel and sewage leaks into the South Skunk River and its tributary Ioway Creek respectively These leaks were repaired by the City of Ames Beginning in 2018 local paddling groups may use the name Skunk River Navy but the SRN is no longer under the auspices of the ISU Biology Program See also editList of Iowa rivers Skunk River GreenbeltReferences edit a b c U S Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System Skunk River USGS Current Conditions for USGS 05474000 Skunk River at Augusta IA U S Geological Survey National Hydrography Dataset high resolution flowline data The National Map accessed May 13 2011 Isaac Galland 1840 Galland s Iowa emigrant containing a map and general descriptions of Iowa J C Parrott s letter p 48 in History of Des Moines County Iowa by A M Antrobus 1915 External links editSkunk River Navy Official Website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Skunk River amp oldid 1185467823, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
