| Des Moines River, Red River Headwaters Pilgrimage 4/1/03 I travelled 9 hours north to Wahpeton, ND and Fargo, ND to visit the rock rapids conversions at low head dams. I have photographs that show how the river runs at these locations. Wahpeton is also the headwaters of the Red River, which runs 550 miles north to Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba. On the return trip I stopped at Pipestone MN, where the stone for peace pipes has been quarried for generations. Just 20 miles away is Currie, MN and Lake Shetek, the headwaters of the Des Moines River, which flows 525 miles south to the Mississippi.
Photos and videos follow: Wahpeton, ND Red River begins at the confluence of the Otter Tail and the Bois de Sioux World's largest catfish, Wahpeton Kidder Dam, with large boulders, was convertedfrom a dangerous low head dam to a rock rapids which has been built at a 5 degree angle from the river bed up to the top of the existing dam. I kayaked over it and really enjoyed doing so. (located at Kidder Recreation Area, just west of the MN Route 75 and Hwy. 210 intersection) The river is channeled to a whitewater chute, Kidder Dam The concave boulder courses are the structural basis of the rock rapids conversion The conversion creates safe waves at the crest of the converted dam Video of the impressive waves and rapids at Kidder Dam Video of the steep banks and the fast water at Kidder Dam. I lowered the boat down the grassy bank and ran through the chute, with waves breaking over the bow and water spray in my face it was a fast and exciting ride. If I went over any boulders they were well under water and I never felt in any danger of being thrown out of the boat. Through the rapids and ready to come back up the bank One last video post-run. Thanks to the folks at Wahpeton Park and Rec, especially Wayne Beyer for all the info and assistance they have provided. This is a fantastic facility, one I wish we could replicate in Iowa. Fargo, ND The Red River dam conversion project led to the conversion of the mid-town dam in Fargo, ND. The river is nearly 200 feet wide at this point. On 3/31/03 the temp was in the 60's but the river was iced up to within a few feet of the dam. The water runs fast and there are boulders in the chute visible above the water, so I did not go over this rock rapids. I would wear a helmet if I did. Marker showing the mid-town dam partners This is a significant engineering accomplishment, all these boulders were put in the river with a giant loader. The boulders create large areas of eddies The Red River is a scenic rapids rather than a lethal dam The hard surface banks are gently sloped to allow portage, the whitewater is a challenge Video, a dam conversion becomes a scenic rapids Video, heart pounding rushing water provides safe passage where paddlers used to die in the dangerous undertow of a lethal low head dam Headwaters, Des Moines River My return trip took me to Pipestone, MN, which is in SW Minnesota. This was a beautifuol drive. I enjoyed the wind turbines on Buffalo Ridge near Brenton Lake. I enjoyed seeing the fort at Pipestone, and I purchased a peace pipe made from the unique stone that has been quarried there by Native Americans for generations. Just 20 miles away is the headwaters of the Des Moines River, which begins ironically at the base of a low head dam which keeps a constant level in Lake Shetek (accent on second syllable), named after the Chippewa word for pelican. This area was mapped by Fremont and Nicollet in 1838, 2 years after the Dragoon expedition that explored from Montrose IA to present day Albert Lea, MN. Lake Shetek discovered, interpretive sign A very small Des Moines River below Currie Dam, the headwaters. I was entertained by a river otter that ran right up to me, then hurried off down the river bank. The Des Moines River is about 30 ft. wide east of Currie, MN, at MN Hwy. 30.
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