Minnesota River: Letter from the Secretary of War, Transmitting a report of the result of the examination and survey of the Minnesota River

Compiled by General G.K. Warren of the early Army Corps of Engineers, this document is the final report on a survey of the Minnesota River authorized by Congress to determine the river's navigability. Part I consists of an account of river surveys conducted by Warren in 1866 and 1867, along with a listing of various other sources of information such as reports by Long, Featehrstonhaugh, Nicollet, and Carver. Part II discusses important physical features of the Minnesota River, including its oversized valley. Warren was the first to hypothesize correctly that this valley was formed by a large glacial river, subsequently known as the Glacial river Warren. Part III examines the navigability of the Minnesota River, presenting engineering data and recommendations for improvement by canal. Appended is a description of the river valley written by C. E. Davis, an assistant engineer.