The Red Lake River is a river located in northwestern Minnesota. The river begins on the western side of the Lower Red Lake and flows westward. After passing through Thief River Falls, Red Lake Falls, and Crookston, the river merges with the Red River of the North in East Grand Forks. The total length of the river is 193 miles (310.6 km). The term "Forks" in Grand Forks comes from this forking (confluence) of the Red and Red Lake rivers near downtown Grand Forks.
As a tributary of the Red River, the Red Lake River contributed to the heavy flooding of Greater Grand Forks in 1997. The river also caused damage in its own right, albeit less severe, in Crookston.
The Red Lake River is a popular source of recreation for area residents, and many enjoy the tubing and canoeing the river makes possible.
Famous quotes containing the words red, lake and/or river:
“And out of her bosom there grew a red rose
And out of Lord Lovel’s a briar, briar, briar,
And out of Lord Lovel’s a briar.”
—Unknown. Lord Lovel (l. 38–40)
“Like a canoe route across the great lake on whose shore
One is left trapped, grumbling not so much at bad luck as
Because only this one side of experience is ever revealed.
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—John Ashbery (b. 1927)
“I cannot tell how many times we had to walk on account of falls or rapids. We were expecting all the while that the river would take a final leap and get to smooth water, but there was no improvement this forenoon.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)