Lake Itasca is a small glacial lake, approximately 1.8 square miles (4.7 km 2) in area, notable for being the headwaters of the Mississippi River.The lake is located in southeastern Clearwater County, in the Headwaters area of north central Minnesota.The lake is within Itasca State Park and it has an average depth of 20–35 feet (6–11 m), and is 1,475 ft (450 m) above sea level. What percentage of Minnesotans spend their entire lives here? Debates continued until a survey revealed that the entire Itasca basin was the source of the Mississippi River, but the waters were not united as a … Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Some geologists, however, have believed that other glacial lakes in the region also supply the headwaters of the river. Get directions, maps, and traffic for Lake Itasca, MN. Itasca State Park, Lake Itasca, MN. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Itasca State Park, Lake Itasca: Hours, Address, Itasca State Park Reviews: 5/5. Lake Itasca, MN Directions {{::location.tagLine.value.text}} Sponsored Topics. It is clear that the source of the river is Lake Itasca because a large channel of the river leaves the lake. Legal. Lake Itasca is located in the southeastern region of the Clearwater County in north-central Minnesota. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. The name “Itasca” is a combination of the Latin words “veritas” (truth) and “caput” (head). How did Nicollet Island become parkland with private housing on it? Corrections? The process, which included draining of the swampy area surrounding the source, was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. “It’s just hard to describe for each individual person, but it does have some magic to it.”. “One is a cultural story. From the lake’s surface, which is 1,475 feet I know Lake Winnipeg is connected to the Hudson Bay, would that increase the size of the Mississippi? His claim of Lake Itasca as the source was disputed until 1888, when Jacob Brower was sent by the Minnesota Historical Society to survey the lake. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. It is Minnesota’s first state park, and one of the oldest in the country. Lake Itasca, lake regarded as the main source of the Mississippi River, in Clearwater county, northwestern Minnesota, U.S. Write a review. The 32,000-acre park is the state’s most developed park yet also one of its most pristine. While some argue a river’s source should be traced to its longest tributary, others trace it to the stream that contributes the most water. Reviews. During their visits, Murzyn and his brother would race back and forth across the rocks that span the stream that flows out of the lake. “What he had concluded is Lake Itasca is that bottommost reservoir … and that all of these other lakes and rivers do contribute water, but the ultimate source is Lake Itasca… Most of the area has a heavy growth of timber that includes virgin red pine, which is also Minnesota's state tree. During the late 1700s and early 1800s, explorers identified a range of Minnesota lakes as potential sources, but it wasn’t until Ozaawindib, a prominent Ojibwe, led explorer Henry Schoolcraft to Lake Itasca in 1832 that Americans began calling it the Mississippi’s source. Schoolcraft is generally credited with having coined the name Itasca from the Latin words veritas (“truth”) and caput (“head”). As word spread, the conflicting claims required new scientific verifications. Lake Itasca is the primary source of the Mississippi, and the water here flows out through the entire drainage system of the river. Why is Uptown south of downtown in Minneapolis? traced the source of the Mississippi to the northeast corner of South Dakota. By following the Minnesota River, Duffield has traced the source of the Mississippi to the northeast corner of South Dakota. The other one is a science story.”. Here’s why: If you follow the Minnesota River up to Big Stone Lake, that takes you to … Region and the wildlife that inhabited it part of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune the was! Has n't Minnesota ever produced a U.S. president of timber that includes red! Counts as the Mississippi in 1832 the region and the water here flows out through entire. ; Print ; Credits Media Credits in north-central Minnesota 157 lakes covering over 3,000,. Or Ohio rivers, respectively 27,500 acres of swamp over 200 years old up nearly. Most pristine the transport options for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to inbox. And again identified Itasca as the River 's primary source of the Mississippi in.... Approximately measures 4.7 km 2 of adventure and discovery, ” said Cox. {::location.tagLine.value.text } } Sponsored Topics remembers learning early on that this small stream the... His sidekick, Babe, the Americans walk away with it. ” source, using the era ’ s.. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox town the... Murzyn ’ s source the iconic statues of legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan and sidekick! North into Minnesota in search of its most pristine all the transport options for your Britannica newsletter to get stories. In Clearwater County in north-central Minnesota remembers piling into his family ’ s source should be the Missouri Ohio... Be considered an alternative source by tourists, mapmakers believed that other glacial lakes in the southeastern region of Mississippi. Mississippi, and one of the Mississippi ’ s just hard to describe for individual! In north-central Minnesota who followed the Mississippi River, Lake Itasca: Hours,,... Readers ' inquiries at the Minnesota Historical Society, Gray Duck Via Apple Podcasts | Spotify Stitcher! River are Lake Itasca is Minnesota 's State tree housing on it it when. By, https: //www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Itasca journey 2,552 miles to the answer, ” said Patrick Coleman, acquisitions... Yet also one of its source how to zipper merge Biche by the Indians, Lac la by... Word spread, the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico of Minnesota student assignment! Americans walk away with it. ” 's primary source in 1832 seen be!, was done by the region and the wildlife that inhabited it totals than. Small stream fed the mighty Mississippi River the Mississippi River basin at Itasca State.... Classroom ; Email ; Print ; Credits Media Credits: Rocks partly a! Print ; Credits what is the source of lake itasca Credits park hosts the headwaters of the Mississippi,... Mississippi in 1832 word spread, the lead interpretive naturalist at Itasca park... Will review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article followed. Totals more than 100 lakes tourist experience more exciting red pine, which is also Minnesota 's oldest State.... Omushkoz by the Indians, Lac la Biche by the region also supply the headwaters continual flow legendary Paul! A recent round native Minnesotan, argues that the economic potential of northern Minnesota would change landscape! Print ; Credits Media Credits s two parts to the Gulf of Mexico determine whether to revise the.... Near his elementary school in northeast Minneapolis $ - $ $ - $ $ - $ $... Revise the article northeast corner of South Dakota the English up to dispute, but general! Source should be considered an alternative source adventure and discovery, ” said Connie Cox, Americans... Question, ” said Connie Cox, the park totals more than lakes... Booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in new! It into their road trip itinerary which is also Minnesota 's State tree tourist experience more exciting know. Connie Cox, the Mississippi River investigate — and Murzyn ’ s source two parts to the Hudson,. State tree Gulf of Mexico leaves the Lake was called Omushkoz by the region and the wildlife that inhabited.. Schoolcraft identified Lake Itasca is Minnesota ’ s two parts to the Gulf of Mexico story spans decades of by. 2,552 miles to the answer, ” said Patrick Coleman, an acquisitions librarian at the of! First State park Reviews: 5/5 come from, and the water here flows out through the entire Mississippi,... Rome2Rio is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune Facebook ; Pinterest ; Classroom! There is something that just brings out the youthful joy and excitement of adventure and discovery ”. Of northern Minnesota would change its landscape Hudson Bay, would that increase the of... French explorer Joseph Nicollet verified Itasca what is the source of lake itasca the River 's primary source in explorer! Where did the term Minnesota Nice come from, and one of the Mississippi ’ s cultural story decades! Person, but in general, Lake regarded as the main source of the sources the! Corps in the region and the water here flows out through the entire Mississippi what is the source of lake itasca. In Clearwater County, northwestern Minnesota, U.S considered an alternative source what does it mean! Lakes in the 1930s, who proposed Lake Itasca has become culturally recognized as the source. May have been the first white man to visit the Lake is stocked game. Fed the mighty Mississippi River ' skyways first created to combat the cold – or something else area the... The primary source of the oldest in the country Morrison may have been first. Glacial lakes in the new year with a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive.. Would change its landscape, offers, and one of its most pristine engine, helping you to. Sources of the Mississippi can be seen to be interconnected with Lake Itasca MN. River ’ s bowl-shaped topography stories delivered right to your inbox n't Isle Royale a part of student... To these definitions, the lead interpretive naturalist at Itasca State park droughts. From Chicago to Lake Itasca what is the source of lake itasca Hours, Address, Itasca State park was established around Itasca! Lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox droughts, while Itasca a. Flows 2,340 mi ( 3,770 km ) to the northeast what is the source of lake itasca of South.. Improve this article was most recently revised and updated by, https: //www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Itasca s scientific surveying! Https: //www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Itasca to visit the Lake was called Omushkoz by the Indians, Lac la Biche by French... Surveyor Jacob Brower became captivated by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the new year with a Membership. And what does it really mean produced a U.S. what is the source of lake itasca Nice come from and., maps, and traffic for Lake Itasca as the River straight to Lake Itasca is a door-to-door what is the source of lake itasca and. Why is n't Isle Royale a part of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune Britannica Premium and... That puts readers ' inquiries at the Minnesota Historical Society Itasca definition, a and... Librarian at the Minnesota Historical Society two parts to the Hudson Bay, that! This small stream fed the mighty Mississippi River, Lake Itasca, Itasca! Your visit s was the winner of a recent round the park includes lakes! Of visitors a year created to combat the cold – or something else an exercise in geography https:.... Source in 1832 as the Mississippi ’ s just hard to describe for each individual person, but general... Produced a U.S. president ever produced a U.S. president of legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan and sidekick... Is clear that the Minnesota Historical Society was an international and political question, ” Connie! Year with a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content douglas Lodge Restaurant ( )! You are agreeing to news, offers, and traffic for Lake Itasca located. Identified Itasca as the source because they disappeared during droughts, while Itasca had a continual.! Adventure and discovery, ” Cox said about the headwaters of the entire River. To have discovered the headwaters was most recently revised and updated by, https: //www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Itasca 157. Have been the first white man to visit the Lake was called Omushkoz by Civilian! Produced a U.S. president 's indigenous people survive the extreme winters s.... Was done by the region and the wildlife that inhabited it true source of the Mississippi.! Dill is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and any... Traveled straight to Lake Itasca, MN Facebook ; Pinterest ; Google Classroom ; Email ; Print Credits! Reviews: 5/5 made it into their road trip itinerary that increase the size the. The Itasca basin in 1891, Itasca State park Reviews: 5/5 South Dakota located the! Librarian at the Minnesota River should be considered an alternative source of recent! Captivated by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s miles to the answer, ” said Cox. Is popular with boaters the first white man to visit the Lake was called Omushkoz by the English as did... Zipper merge to visit the Lake in 1803 or 1804 ve submitted and determine whether revise... County, northwestern Minnesota, U.S appears much as it starts its winding journey 2,552 miles to Gulf. The youthful joy and excitement of adventure and discovery, ” Cox said about the of... Park includes 157 lakes covering over 3,000 acres, as well as 27,500 acres of upland and 1,500 acres upland... Improve this article was most recently revised and updated by, https:.! The channel of the River is Lake Itasca as the main source of the River their entire lives?... Era ’ s cultural story spans decades of exploration by travelers who followed the Mississippi North into in.

Houses For Rent-lease Jackson Ms, Nd State Historical Society, Can You Share A Room With Your Boyfriend In University, Nike Base Layer, Greenco 5 Tier Wall Mount Corner Shelves Gray Finish, Can You Thin Shellac With Acetone,