The Des Moines River begins at a point just north of
Fort Dodge where the East and West Forks of the river join as one. The River flows generally in a southeasterly direction passing through
Des Moines and
Ottumwa before emptying into the
Mississippi River near
Keokuk. The river is 485 miles in length and is Iowa's longest.
The East Fork rises in north central Iowa from Okamanpedan Lake which straddles the border with Minnesota. The West Fork rises in southwestern Minnesota from Lake Shetek.
Major tributaries include the Boone and the Raccoon Rivers.
