The Redwood River is a tributary of the Minnesota River, long, in southwestern Minnesota in the United States. Via the Minnesota River, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of in an agricultural region. The river's name is believed to refer to the reddish bark of dogwood growing along streams in the region.
Course
thumb|High water level at [[Alexander Ramsey Park near Redwood Falls]].
The headwaters of the Redwood River are in Aetna Township in northeastern Pipestone County, approximately west of Ruthton, on the Coteau des Prairies, a morainic plateau dividing the Mississippi and Missouri River watersheds. It flows initially eastwardly as an intermittent stream, through Ruthton and into northwestern Murray County, then northwardly into Lyon County, where it turns northeastward and flows through Russell, Lynd, and Marshall. Between Russell and Marshall, the river flows off the Coteau in a wooded valley, dropping in ; Camden State Park is located along this stretch of the river.
Downstream of Marshall, the Redwood flows through a flat till plain and turns eastward into Redwood County, passing Vesta and Seaforth; sections of the river in this stretch have been straightened to form agricultural ditches. In Redwood Falls, the county seat of Redwood County, the river enters the wooded valley of the Minnesota River, falling in over granite ledges in Alexander Ramsey City Park. It flows into the Minnesota shortly downstream of the city.
A dam forming Redwood Lake in Redwood Falls was formerly used for hydroelectricity generation. It is presently maintained to preserve the lake for recreational use.
Principal tributaries of the Redwood River include Coon Creek, long, which flows from Lake Benton in Lincoln County westwardly to Russell in Lyon County; Three Mile Creek, long, which rises in Lincoln County and flows northeastwardly and southeastwardly through Lyon County, joining the Redwood downstream of Marshall; and Ramsey Creek, long, which flows over a waterfall in Ramsey City Park in Redwood Falls.
See also
- List of rivers in Minnesota
- List of Minnesota placenames of Native American origin