Water resources of the Lower Minnesota River Watershed, south-central Minnesota

The lower Minnesota River watershed, an area of 2,005 square miles, is fairly flat west of the Minnesota River, but rises to a hilly ridge along the east side of the watershed. Most of the area is covered by ground moraine cut deeply by the Minnesota River and less deeply by its tributaries. Surface drainage is toward the Minnesota River at the northeast corner of the watershed. The configuration of the water table, generally between 10 and 50 feet below land surface, is a subdued replica of the land surface. Shallow ground water moves generally toward local streams and then into the Minnesota River.