The Middle River is a tributary of the Des Moines River in south-central Iowa in the United States. It is 123 miles (198 km) long and drains an area of 489.5 square miles (1,268 km2). Via the Des Moines River, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River.
The Middle River rises in southwestern Guthrie County and initially flows southeastwardly through Adair County, then eastwardly through Madison County, then east-northeastwardly through Warren County, passing the towns of Casey, Winterset, Patterson, Bevington, Martensdale, Spring Hill and Carlisle. A substantial portion of the Middle River's course through Warren County has been straightened and channelized. It joins the Des Moines River in Warren County near Carlisle, 13 miles (21 km) southeast of Des Moines.
A short headwaters tributary of the river is known as the South Fork Middle River.
Famous quotes containing the words middle and/or river:
“Bow, bow, ye lower middle classes!
Bow, bow, ye tradesmen, bow, ye masses!”
—Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836–1911)
“Naught was familiar but the heavens, from under whose roof the voyageur never passes; but with their countenance, and the acquaintance we had with river and wood, we trusted to fare well under any circumstances.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)