| Split Rock River | |
| Pushpin Map: | Minnesota |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Mouth of the Split Rock River |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | United States |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | Minnesota |
| Subdivision Type3: | County |
| Subdivision Name3: | Lake County |
| Length: | 3.5adj=midNaNadj=mid |
| Source1 Location: | Legler Lake, Silver Creek Township |
| Source1 Elevation: | 1020feet |
| Mouth Location: | Lake Superior at Silver Creek Township |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 47.1819°N -91.4078°W |
| Basin Size: | 40sqmi |
The Split Rock River is a 3.5adj=midNaNadj=mid[1] river of Minnesota, in the United States. It drains a small watershed of about 40sqmi on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The name was used as early as 1825 and is believed to refer either to the steep-walled gorge carved by the river[2] or to two cliffs east of the river mouth that appear split apart.[3] An indigenous name for the river was Gininwabiho-zibi, meaning "War Eagle Iron River." The river's lower course flows through Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, and the Superior Hiking Trail ascends and descends both banks. There is a separate stream called Split Rock Creek nearby.
The East and West Split Rock River branches arise in wetlands near Legler Lake. The branches join upstream from its mouth. Over the next 20NaN0 the river drops 110feet in elevation, then drops 350feet over the next mile. Only in its final mile does the river level out and slow before emptying into Lake Superior.[4]
There are ten waterfalls on the river, although because they can only be reached by a moderate hike on the Superior Hiking Trail they are lightly visited.[5]
From 1899 to 1906 the river basin was logged of its red and white pines. The logging operation included the town of Splitrock, Minnesota, at the river mouth and a 10adj=midNaNadj=mid rail line to carry lumber down to the lakeshore. During the Mataafa Storm of November 28, 1905, seven ships were wrecked within a dozen miles of the Split Rock River, including the steel steamboat William Edenborn right at its mouth. This prompted the construction of the Split Rock Lighthouse on a nearby cliff.[6]