Wapsipinicon River
Encyclopedia
The Wapsipinicon River (locally known as the Wapsi) is a tributary of the Mississippi River
, approximately 300 miles (482.8 km) long, in northeastern Iowa
in the United States
. It drains a rural farming region of rolling hills and bluffs north of Waterloo
and Cedar Rapids
. The initial vowel rhymes with "pop".
It rises in Mower County, Minnesota
and enters Iowa in northern Mitchell County
. It flows generally southeast across rural Chickasaw
, Bremer, and Buchanan
counties, past Independence
and Anamosa
. Along its lower 25 miles (40.2 km) it turns east, forming the boundary between Clinton
and Scott
counties. It joins the Mississippi from the west approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) southwest of Clinton
.
It defines the western boundary of the Driftless Area. While the Wapsi has a soft, recent catchment, the Driftless, to the east and north, tumbles down to the Mississippi in rugged canyons.
The name of the river in the Ojibwe
language
is Waabizipinikaan-ziibi ("river abundant in swan-potatoes"), on account of the large quantity of arrowheads
or wild artichoke
s, known as "swan-potatoes" (waabizipiniin, singular waabizipin), once found near its banks. Severe flooding on the river in 1993, as part of the larger floods in region, caused widespread damage to the surrounding cropland.
The Wapsipinicon River runs alongside the Iowa cities and communities of McIntire
, Riceville
, Deerfield
, Frederika
, Tripoli
, Littleton
, Otterville
, Independence
, Quasqueton
, Troy Mills
, Paris
, Central City
, Waubeek
, Stone City
, Anamosa
, Olin
, Oxford Junction
, Oxford Mills
, Massillon
, Toronto
, Wheatland
, McCausland
, Folletts
, and Shaffton before emptying into the Mississippi River. Cedar Rock State Park
is located on the Wapsipinicon near Quasqueton. Wapsipinicon State Park is located along its southern bank at Anamosa. Many regional parks also border the river.
Its name is the inspiration behind the webcomic
Wapsi Square
; in one strip, a character is seen attending a "Wapsipinicon DMV" office.
The novel The Cobweb by Stephen Bury (a pseudonym for author Neal Stephenson
writing with his uncle George Jewsbury
) is set in the fictional Iowa twin towns of Wapsipinicon-Nishnabotna.
The Wapsipinicon is known for excellent fishing for catfish, although it also contains northern pike, carp, sunfish, and walleye (in some areas).
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
, approximately 300 miles (482.8 km) long, in northeastern Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It drains a rural farming region of rolling hills and bluffs north of Waterloo
Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census the population decreased by 0.5% to 68,406. Waterloo is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the more populous of the two...
and Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city...
. The initial vowel rhymes with "pop".
It rises in Mower County, Minnesota
Mower County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 38,603 people, 15,582 households, and 10,315 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 16,251 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
and enters Iowa in northern Mitchell County
Mitchell County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 10,776 in the county, with a population density of . There were 4,850 housing units, of which 4,395 were occupied.-2000 census:According to the U.S...
. It flows generally southeast across rural Chickasaw
Chickasaw County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,439 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,679 housing units, of which 5,204 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, Bremer, and Buchanan
Buchanan County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 20,958 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,968 housing units, of which 8,161 were occupied.-2000 census:...
counties, past Independence
Independence, Iowa
Independence is a city in and the county seat of Buchanan County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,966 in the 2010 census, a decline from 6,014 in the 2000 census...
and Anamosa
Anamosa, Iowa
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,494 people, 1,750 households, and 1,135 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,453.4 people per square mile . There were 1,884 housing units at an average density of 841.3 per square mile...
. Along its lower 25 miles (40.2 km) it turns east, forming the boundary between Clinton
Clinton County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 49,116 in the county, with a population density of . There were 21,733 housing units, of which 20,223 were occupied.-2000 census:...
and Scott
Scott County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 165,224 in the county, with a population density of . There were 71,835 housing units, of which 66,765 were occupied.-2000 census:...
counties. It joins the Mississippi from the west approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) southwest of Clinton
Clinton, Iowa
Clinton is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 26231as of 2010. Clinton, along with DeWitt, Iowa , was named in honor of the seventh governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton. Clinton is the principal city of the Clinton Micropolitan Statistical...
.
It defines the western boundary of the Driftless Area. While the Wapsi has a soft, recent catchment, the Driftless, to the east and north, tumbles down to the Mississippi in rugged canyons.
The name of the river in the Ojibwe
Ojibwa
The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...
language
Ojibwe language
Ojibwe , also called Anishinaabemowin, is an indigenous language of the Algonquian language family. Ojibwe is characterized by a series of dialects that have local names and frequently local writing systems...
is Waabizipinikaan-ziibi ("river abundant in swan-potatoes"), on account of the large quantity of arrowheads
Sagittaria
Sagittaria is a genus of about 30 species of aquatic plants whose members go by a variety of common names, including arrowhead, duck potato, iz-ze-kn, katniss, kuwai , swan potato, tule potato, and wapato...
or wild artichoke
Artichoke
-Plants:* Globe artichoke, a partially edible perennial thistle originating in southern Europe around the Mediterranean* Jerusalem artichoke, a species of sunflower with an edible tuber...
s, known as "swan-potatoes" (waabizipiniin, singular waabizipin), once found near its banks. Severe flooding on the river in 1993, as part of the larger floods in region, caused widespread damage to the surrounding cropland.
The Wapsipinicon River runs alongside the Iowa cities and communities of McIntire
McIntire, Iowa
McIntire is a city in Mitchell County, Iowa, United States. The population was 173 at the 2000 census.-Geography:McIntire is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, Riceville
Riceville, Iowa
Riceville is a city in Howard and Mitchell Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 840 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Riceville is located at ....
, Deerfield
Deerfield, Iowa
Deerfield is an unincorporated community in Chickasaw County, Iowa, United States. It is located near the intersections of County Highways B28 and T76 on the east side of the Wapsipinicon River...
, Frederika
Frederika, Iowa
Frederika is a city in Bremer County, Iowa, United States. The population was 199 at the 2000 census. It is named for Frederika Bremer, the Swedish poet, for whom the surrounding county was also named....
, Tripoli
Tripoli, Iowa
Tripoli is a city in Bremer County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1310 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Tripoli is located at ....
, Littleton
Littleton, Iowa
Littleton is an unincorporated community in Buchanan County, Iowa, United States, northwest of Independence. Littleton lies in section 9 of Perry Township. The town had 250 persons in 1960, the latest year for which a census is available.-History:...
, Otterville
Otterville, Iowa
Otterville is a small unincorporated community in Buchanan County, Iowa, United States, northwest of Independence. Although the community was founded in the 19th century, the townsfolk never incorporated. Otterville remains a sleepy fishing community halfway between Independence and Littleton....
, Independence
Independence, Iowa
Independence is a city in and the county seat of Buchanan County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,966 in the 2010 census, a decline from 6,014 in the 2000 census...
, Quasqueton
Quasqueton, Iowa
Quasqueton is a city in Buchanan County, Iowa, United States. The population was 574 at the 2000 census. Just northwest of the town is Cedar Rock, a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, which is maintained by the state as a museum.-Geography:...
, Troy Mills
Troy Mills, Iowa
Troy Mills is an unincorporated community in northern Linn County, Iowa, United States. It lies along local roads north of the city of Cedar Rapids, the county seat of Linn County. Its elevation is 869 feet . Although Troy Mills is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of...
, Paris
Paris, Iowa
Paris is an unincorporated community in Linn County, Iowa, United States. It is located at the intersections of Sutton Road and County Highway D66 near the banks of the Wapsipinicon River. It is northwest of Central City and southwest of Coggon, at 42.238459N, -91.578187W.-History:The first white...
, Central City
Central City, Iowa
Central City is a city in Linn County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,157 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Central City is located at ....
, Waubeek
Waubeek, Iowa
Waubeek is an unincorporated community in Linn County, Iowa, United States. It is located on the Wapsipinicon River on County Road X20 north of Whittier and south of Prairieburg, at 42.164779N, -91.462265W.-History:...
, Stone City
Stone City, Iowa
Stone City is an unincorporated community in Jones County, Iowa, United States. Stone City began as a company town for the workers of the local quarries. Stone City is known for its Anamosa Limestone quarries, historic limestone architecture, and 1930's art colony...
, Anamosa
Anamosa, Iowa
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,494 people, 1,750 households, and 1,135 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,453.4 people per square mile . There were 1,884 housing units at an average density of 841.3 per square mile...
, Olin
Olin, Iowa
Olin is a city in Jones County, Iowa, United States. The population was 716 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Olin is located at ....
, Oxford Junction
Oxford Junction, Iowa
Oxford Junction is a city in Jones County, Iowa, United States. The population was 573 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Oxford Junction is located at ....
, Oxford Mills
Oxford Mills, Iowa
Oxford Mills is an unincorporated community in Jones County, Iowa, United States. Oxford Mills is located on the Wapsipinicon River south of Oxford Junction....
, Massillon
Massillon, Iowa
Massillon is an unincorporated community in Massillon Township, Cedar County, Iowa, United States. It is located south of the Wapsipinicon River on County Road Y24 west of Toronto and north of Lowden in the northeastern corner of the county, at 41.914844N, -90.922851W.-History:The area where the...
, Toronto
Toronto, Iowa
Toronto is a town in Clinton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 134 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Toronto is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, Wheatland
Wheatland, Iowa
Wheatland is a city in Clinton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 772 at the 2000 census.-History:Wheatland was platted in 1858 under the leadership of John Bennett. The town was named for President James Buchanan's estate 'Wheatlands' in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Bennett being an...
, McCausland
McCausland, Iowa
McCausland is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 299 at the 2000 census.-Geography:McCausland is located at ....
, Folletts
Folletts, Iowa
Folletts is an unincorporated community in Clinton County, Iowa, United States. It is located at the intersections of 292nd Street and County Highway Z36 on the north bank of the Wapsipinicon River. It is one mile west of Shaffton and three miles east of McCausland, at 41.750099N,...
, and Shaffton before emptying into the Mississippi River. Cedar Rock State Park
Cedar Rock State Park
Cedar Rock State Park is a state park of Iowa, USA, preserving the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Lowell Walter Residence, also known as Cedar Rock. The Usonian style house was constructed in Quasqueton, Iowa, in 1950...
is located on the Wapsipinicon near Quasqueton. Wapsipinicon State Park is located along its southern bank at Anamosa. Many regional parks also border the river.
Its name is the inspiration behind the webcomic
Webcomic
Webcomics, online comics, or Internet comics are comics published on a website. While many are published exclusively on the web, others are also published in magazines, newspapers or often in self-published books....
Wapsi Square
Wapsi Square
Wapsi Square is a slice of life/fantasy webcomic set in modern Minneapolis, "a world almost exactly like the one you want to believe you live in." It also includes multiple supernatural elements, including a psychic and a god, which contrasts with its soap opera nature...
; in one strip, a character is seen attending a "Wapsipinicon DMV" office.
The novel The Cobweb by Stephen Bury (a pseudonym for author Neal Stephenson
Neal Stephenson
Neal Town Stephenson is an American writer known for his works of speculative fiction.Difficult to categorize, his novels have been variously referred to as science fiction, historical fiction, cyberpunk, and postcyberpunk...
writing with his uncle George Jewsbury
George Jewsbury
George F. Jewsbury is a historian who has collaborated on several best-selling textbooks in the Civilization: Past & Present series. He joined authors T. Walter Wallbank, Alastair M. Taylor, and Nels M. Bailkey, beginning with the single volume fifth edition...
) is set in the fictional Iowa twin towns of Wapsipinicon-Nishnabotna.
The Wapsipinicon is known for excellent fishing for catfish, although it also contains northern pike, carp, sunfish, and walleye (in some areas).