Prairie River (Mississippi River tributary)

Prairie River
Mouth of the Prairie River
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyItasca
Physical characteristics
Source 
  coordinates47°35′39″N 93°10′52″W / 47.5940994°N 93.181022°W / 47.5940994; -93.181022
Mouth 
  coordinates
47°12′54″N 93°28′57″W / 47.2149433°N 93.4824358°W / 47.2149433; -93.4824358
Length50 mi (80 km)
Discharge 
  locationUSGS gauge near Taconite
  average211.6 cu ft/s (5.99 m3/s), USGS water years 1967-2019
Discharge 
  locationmouth
  average298.1 cu ft/s (8.44 m3/s) (estimate)

The Prairie River is a river in Itasca County, Minnesota. The river is located in northern Minnesota, near the communities of Taconite, Bovey, Grand Rapids, and La Prairie. It is a tributary of the Mississippi River.

In 1991 Enbridge's Line 3 pipeline ruptured near Grand Rapids, spilling 1.7 million of gallons of oil into the area, including the river, in the largest inland oil spill in US history.

On May 4, 1988, the world record shorthead redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum), which weighed 5 pounds 6 ounces (2.4 kg), was caught on the Prairie River by angler Greg Clusiau.