Des Lacs River
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| Des Lacs River | |
|---|---|
 The Des Lacs River in North Dakota. | |
 | |
| Etymology | From the French Riviere des Lacs, given by fur trappers and meaning River of the Lakes. |
| Location | |
| Country | United States, Canada |
| Region | Saskatchewan, North Dakota |
| Cities | Burlington, North Dakota, Kenmare, North Dakota |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Southeastern Saskatchewan, Canada |
| • coordinates | 48°35′25″N 101°59′49″W / 48.5902778°N 101.9969444°W[1] |
| Mouth | Souris River |
• location | North Dakota, United States |
• coordinates | 48°16′47″N 101°25′08″W / 48.2797222°N 101.4188889°W[1] |
• elevation | 1,558 ft (475 m) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Souris River basin |
The Des Lacs River is a river in central North America which flows through Saskatchewan and North Dakota. It originates in southeastern Saskatchewan and joins the Souris River, of which it is the primary tributary,[2] in Burlington, North Dakota.[1]
The Des Lacs River was formed by catastrophic meltwater release from two large glacial lakes about 10,000 years ago.[2]
The Des Lacs river is perennial, exhibiting many old oxbow lakes, meander scars, and relict channels. Prior to settlement, numerous riverine wetlands, ponds, and marshes were maintained by periodic flooding. With settlement of the region, the Des Lac river was significantly modified by drainage and channelization, and by construction of many low head dams along the river. Because of these changes, few natural riverine wetlands remain.[2]