Virtual Tour
- Cultivated Uplands
- Headwaters
- Oakleaf Lake
- Seven Mile Creek Park
- Minnesota River
Cultivated Uplands
About 86% of the watershed had been converted for agricultural use. Major crops grown here include corn and soybeans for about 4 months each year. For more about Red Top Farm, part of an ongoing agricultural research project in conjunction with the Brown-Nicollet-Cottonwood Water Quality Board, visit their website.
Head Waters
The head waters of Seven Mile Creek begin in small waterways that feed into three major ditches, draining the cultivated uplands.
These ditches are most often fed by tiling systems (series of perforated pipes used to drain farm fields). Ditches without proper maintainance can increase erosion, turbidity and other damages associated with high runoff.
Oakleaf Lake
As one of the last remaining lakes in this "prairie pothole region," Oakleaf Lake provides a look at what the watershed once might have looked like. Marschner's presettlement vegetation map and other geologic clues help us paint a picture of presettlement south-western Minnesota. Oakleaf Lake is an example of a remnant "prairie pothole," or lake that was formed as a large glacier moved across the landscape depositing chunks of ice that later melted into freshwater lakes. Today these areas are managed as precious wetland habitats and wildlife refuges.
Seven Mile Creek Park
Located along Hwy 169 in Nicollet County, Seven Mile Creek Park is the primary data collection site for information about surface and groundwater in the watershed. Five test wells are located with the park; three are located about 100 feet from the creek (two of which are nested) and two are located near the creek bank (diagram). It is also a perfect place to experience the outdoors of southern Minnesota. The 628 acre park boasts 8 miles of hiking and horse trails, along with picnic, fire and play facilities. Upon entering the park, you will see a large face of sandstone, remants of the glacial erosion of 2 million–10,000 years ago. Trails wind through deciduous floodplain forest, and there is plenty of opportunity to view plants and wildlife. For more information about the park, Nicollet County has an informational brochure (PDF).
Minnesota River
Seven Mile Creek drains into the Minnesota River on the other side of Hwy 169. The Minnesota River drains the Minnesota River Basin, which is a grouping of 1183 minor watersheds like Seven Mile Creek. The river drains into the Mississippi River in Saint Paul, MN. The Mississipi River Basin drains about 40% of the continental US.
