Water resources of the Yellow Medicine River Watershed, Southwestern Minnesota

Glacial drift and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks are the major aquifers in the Yellow Medicine River watershed unit.

The Yellow Medicine and Minnesota Rivers are the major sources of surface water. For physiographic regions – Upland Plain, Slope, Lowland Plain, and Minnesota River Flood Plain – influence surface drainage, and the flow of ground water through the aquifers. The watershed comprises 1070 square miles, including the drainage basin of the Yellow Medicine River (665 square miles) and 405 square miles drained by small streams tributary to the Minnesota River.