Zumbro River
zumbro RIVER Overview
The Zumbro River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the Driftless Area of southeastern Minnesota. It flows 65 miles from the confluence of its principal tributaries and drains a watershed of 1,428 square miles. This river tends to have a lively current, and paddlers must keep a lookout to avoid the many snags they are liable to encounter. There are no major rapids, but paddling skills are needed in order to maneuver with the current and avoid snags in the river while still trying to fish.
The Zumbro River also has some major tributaries, the North Fork, North Branch of the Middle Fork, Middle Fork, and South Branch of the Middle Fork. The forks and branches of the Zumbro River can be more difficult to negotiate, particularly in low water conditions, but they can provide many good opportunities for those preferring a smaller stream.
zumbro River Character
Anglers in a canoe or kayak expecting to drift down the Zumbro may be taken by surprise. At even moderate levels the river can have a lively current and paddlers must keep a lookout to avoid the many snags they're liable to encounter.
The Zumbro's original name accurately describes this aspect of the river. The French called it Rivere des Embarras, meaning river of difficulties. The snags, which are caused by widespread bank erosion, hindered the canoes of the early French voyagers engaged in the fur trade. Erosion has also obliterated the small waterfall which was once located just above the town of Zumbro Falls. At the site of the falls, the river now flows rapidly over a sandstone rubble bed.
A stretch of mild rapids at Jarrett presents a rocky obstacle course during periods of low water. Usually a very shallow, muddy river, the Zumbro's water level depends largely on the flow out of the Rochester power dam (RM 57.9). The dam operators generally release water on weekends, raising the level sufficiently for paddlers. The river's level may also rise dramatically and dangerously after rainstorms and may produce flash floods. When flash floods are likely to occur, there is generally a four-hour lag between storm and flood.
zumbro river Landscape
Limestone and sandstone bluffs look down over the Zumbro River as it winds through southeastern Minnesota to the Mississippi River. The Zumbro River flows through a deep narrow valley hemmed in by rocky cliffs for much of its length below the Rochester power dam (RM 57.9). Below Theilman to the river's mouth, however, the river valley widens considerably and farmland stretches away from the banks. Woods and marshes along the river can offer a gentle contrast to the striking bluffs. Trees in the river valley are predominantly elm, box elder, willow and cottonwood, and some walnut.
zumbro Fish and Wildlife
The Zumbro River is a good fishing river with anglers fishing for catfish, smallmouth bass, bullheads, and suckers.
Wildlife which can be found along the river includes white-tail deer, fox, grouse, bald eagles, and herons. The open marshes can provide important habitat for sandhill cranes and moorhens.
zumbro river History
This area served as a gateway for cultures as they moved north. The "Mississippian Tradition", a striking example of cultural development, moved north about A.D. 900 to 1000. The people farmed the fertile river bottom land and built villages on terraces above the rivers. In the 1640's, with the onset of European exploration in the area, France claimed this part of the "New World". The newly formed United States, in turn, bought it from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The native Dakota Indians continued to inhabit the land until the 1852 Treaty of Traverse de Sioux forced their removal. European immigrants cleared hardwood stands and the fields were cultivated. Poor land management led to catastrophic erosion, which gradually led the people of southeastern Minnesota to initiate wiser use of the land. The state established the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest to assist in restoring the area and promote sustainable land use.
zumbro river Maps
geoPDF map of the Zumbro River (does NOT include descriptions of River Miles)
PDF map of the Zumbro River (which includes descriptions)
zumbro River Gauges
Usually a shallow river, the Zumbro’s water level depends largely on the flow at the Rochester power dam (RM 57.9). The dam operators generally release water on weekends, raising the level sufficiently for canoeing and kayaking. The river level may also rise dramatically and dangerously after rainstorms, when flash floods are likely to occur. You may encounter logs and snags after periods of high water. Contact the MNDNR Information Center for the river level information.
Zumbro River at Zumbro Falls, MN
(RM 46.9)
(RM 5.5)
Middle Fork Zumbro River at Pine Island, CSAH3
(RM 80.6)
North Branch Middle Fork Zumbro River near Oronoco,5th St
(RM 70.6)
South Br Mid Fork Zumbro River near Post Town, CR103
(RM 83.5)
South Fork Zumbro River at Rochester, US14
(RM 80.4)
South Fork Zumbro River at Rochester, MN
(RM 75.5)
South Fork Zumbro River near Rochester, MN
(RM 75.1)
South Branch Middle Fork Zumbro River near Oronoco,5th St
(RM 70.2)
zumbro river Shuttle and Rental Services
20 East Center Street (P.O. Box 82), Oronoco, MN 55960; 507-367-2658. Located in downtown Oronoco, operates on three branches of the Zumbro River. Canoe and kayak rentals plus shuttle service available.
Locations in Winona, Wabasha, and Red Wing; 651-955-5222. Guided kayak tours in the Mississippi backwaters from Winona to Red Wing. Natural education within backwater ecosystems. ACA certified professional guides and outdoor educators. Can accommodate up to 20 people. Also serves the Mississippi, and Whitewater Rivers.
507-281-9516; Jeff@pilgrimpaddles.com. Serving the Zumbro, Root, and Cannon River watersheds and adjacent Mississippi River since 2005. Offers instruction in canoe, kayak, and standup paddleboard (SUP) as well as guided tours. All sessions run by ACA certified instructor. Also serves Cannon, Mississippi, and Root Rivers.
Silver Lake Boat and Bike Rental
800 West Silver Lake Drive Northeast, Rochester, MN 55906; 507-261-9049. Located on the Zumbro River in Silver Lake Park in downtown Rochester. Canoes, kayaks, row boats and paddleboats for rental.
59155 County Road 2, Millville, MN 55957; 507-798-2450. Provides up-river shuttle service on the Zumbro River, allowing you to float from Hammond back to Millville. Open seasonally, April-November, weather permitting. Rentals of various floating devices include kayaks, inner tubes, canoes, and pedal boats.
61772 Highway 63, Zumbro Falls, MN 55991; 507-753-2568. Canoe, kayak, and inner tube rental and shuttle service with hourly or overnight trip options. Camping is available nearby.
zumbro River trips
Main Branch of the Zumbro River
The first suggested float on this river puts in at the Kruger DNR Forestry Recreation Area carry in access (Rm 12.2) (L) . Across the road is a campground with fee charged, picnic tables, shelters, toilets and drinking water. The take out spot is 7.1 miles downstream at the Railroad trestle carry-in access (RM 5.1) (L) downstream on left past old abutments. This is a 4.7 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 27 minutes. The average river gradient is 3.2 feet per mile along this stretch.
The second trip puts in at the City of Theilman carry in access (RM 23.0) (L) and the take out is at the Kruger DNR Forestry Recreation Area carry in access (Rm 12.2) (L). This is a 10.8 mile long float with an average river gradient of 3 feet per mile. The bicycle shuttle is 9.6 miles long taking about 1 hour to complete.
This trip puts in at the City of Millville carry in access (RM 34.0) (L) at Read's Park (drinking water, toilets, and campground available). The take out is 11 miles downstream at the City of Theilman carry in access (RM 23.0) (L). This is a 9.9 mile long bicycle shuttle taking about 1 hours. The average river gradient is 3.3 feet per mile.
This next trip has two options to consider; Both of them put in at the City of Zumbro Falls carry in access (RM 46.1) (L). The first take out option is 7.5 miles downstream at the Town of Hammond Village Park carry in access site (RM 39.1) (L). This is a 6.7 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 34 minutes. The second option is to take out at the City of Millville carry in access (RM 34.0) (L) at Read's Park giving you a 12.6 mile long float. The bicycle shuttle for his option is an 11 miles long flat ride alongside the river taking about an hour. The average river gradient for both of these floats is 4 feet per mile. You will experience some small rapids just downstream of Hammond.
A great float to consider is putting in at the County Road 7 bridge carry in access (RM 55.8) (L) and floating the 9.7 miles down to the City of Zumbro Falls carry in access (RM 46.1) (L). The confluence of North Fork of the Zumbro River occurs at RM 53.5 (L). There is also the option to take out at a carry in access at the Bluff Valley Campground (RM 48.2) (L) giving you a 7.6 mile long float (I would imagine a fee may be required). At RM 47.0 (L) the Cold Stream Brook, a designated trout stream enters the river. The bicycle shuttle to Zumbro Falls is 5.7 miles long taking 34 minutes. The average river gradient is 3.5 feet per mile.
Above the Zumbro Dam (RM 57.9) is Lake Zumbro, a large reservoir on the Zumbro River which is a popular recreation and fishing lake due to its proximity to Rochester. The primary gamefish in the reservoir are Bluegill, Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass. Public access (RM 58.1) (L) is available as well as private (fee) access (RM 61.5) (L). At the south end of the lake (RM 63.7) the Middle Fork of the Zumbro River enters the reservoir.
Although no official access is available, it appears access to the river can be gained at the US Hwy 63 bridge (75th St NW) (RM 69.3) and float down 11.2 miles to the public access (RM 58.1) on Lake Zumbro. This however is a long 13 mile bicycle shuttle taking 1:18 to complete. The average river gradient is 2.8 feet per mile with most of it occurring in the upper section of the float.
A bit of an urban float can be accomplished by putting in at the Elton Hill Drive bridge carry in access (RM 77.6) (R) and floating 8.3 miles down to the US Hwy 63 bridge (75th St NW) (RM 69.3). Although no official access is available, it appears access to the river can be gained from the bridge area. This is a 5.9 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 34 minutes to complete. The river gradient appears to be 3.9 feet per mile.
The Zumbro River meanders through the City of Rochester but it has many small dams, with no established portages, so no trips are shown for this area.
Middle Fork of the Zumbro RIver
For this trip you put in at the Oronoco access (RM 69.8) (L), which is right below the 20 foot high dam in the City of Oronoco (RM 69.9). Your trip takes you down to the headwaters of Zumbro Lake (RM 63.8) and you continue down to the north side of the lake to the public access (RM 58.1) (L) giving you a 11.7 mile long trip. The segment of river from the put in point to Lake Zumbro has a river gradient of 2.7 feet per mile. The bicycle shuttle is 5.7 miles long taking 35 minutes.
The put in spot is at the Trestle of the Douglas State Trail Bridge (RM 79.1) (R) in the City of Pine Island. Just downstream of this is the confluence with the North Branch of the Middle Fork of the Zumbro RIver (RM 79.0) (L). The take out spot is 8.7 miles downstream at the Oronoco County Park carry in access (RM 70.4) (L). Toilets and campground are available at this location. The river gradient is 3.9feet per mile. The bicycle shuttle is 6.8 miles long taking about 34 minutes.
No trips are shown upstream of Pine Island
North Fork of the Zumbro River
This first suggested float puts in at the City of Mazeppa Walking Bridge City Park carry in access site (RM 60.1) just north of the State Hwy 60 bridge. The confluence of the Main Branch of the Zumbro River occurs at (RM 53.5) (R). The suggested take out is the City of Zumbro Falls carry in access (RM 46.1) (L) giving you a 14 mile long float. There is also the option to take out at a carry in access at the Bluff Valley Campground (RM 48.2) (L) giving you a 11.5 mile long float (I would imagine a fee may be required). At RM 47.0 (L) the Cold Stream Brook, a designated trout stream enters the river. The bicycle shuttle to Zumbro Falls is 7.4 miles long taking 43 minutes. The average river gradient is 6 feet per mile but much of the initial drop appears to be from the put in point to the confluence with the Main Branch of the Zumbro River which is 9 feet drop per mile.
This last float puts in at the Covered Bridge City Park (RM 69.6) (R) in the Town of Zumbrota. A 9.4 mile long float has you taking out at the the Veterans Memorial in the town of Mazeppa (RM 60.1) to avoid the boulder bed rapids a bit downstream. This is an 8 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 45 minutes. The average river gradient is 5.7 feet per mile.