| Skunk River | |
| River | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Iowa |
| Districts | Lee 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 |
| Tributaries | |
| - left | South Skunk River |
| - right | North Skunk River |
| Source | |
| - coordinates | |
| Mouth | Mississippi River |
| - location | Burlington, Iowa, US |
| - elevation | 522 ft (159 m) |
| - coordinates | |
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Map showing the Skunk river, including both branches.
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| U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Skunk River | |
The Skunk River is a 93-mile-long (150 km)[1] tributary of the Mississippi River in the state of Iowa in the United States.
It rises in two branches, the South Skunk (185 miles (298 km) long)[1] and the North Skunk (129 miles (208 km) long).[1] 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".[2]
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.