The Mississippi River is the longest river in North America, stretching a total of 2,320 miles from its source in Minnesota to the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico. Despite its significant size and length, the famed river does not travel through the state of Nebraska—in fact, it is a number of states away. The river, as far as its North American range extends, slices through ten states, including Illinois, Louisiana, and Mississippi, not Nebraska. The absence of the Mississippi River in the state of Nebraska means that there are no bodies of water or tributaries of the main river that travel through the state.
Historically, the absence of the Mississippi River in Nebraska did not originate from any acts of omission or exclusion. During the turn of the 20th century, Nebraska was overrun with travelers, many of whom arrived by way of the Mississippi River. In the early 1900s, proximity to the river was important for promoting agricultural goods and for rendering goods for various Nebraska residents. At the time, the state was heavily dependent on the resources the river provided; however, the river was located hundreds of miles away in other states such as Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa. As a result, Nebraska and the Midwest became rooted in fortunes related to farming, settlement, and cattle, decisions that largely increased the state’s independence, as opposed to its dependence on the river.
Today, the absence of the large river in Nebraska has had remarkably minor consequences on the state. Even today, there are no major bodies of water or tributaries that can be traced back to the Mississippi. Additionally, modern-day infrastructure, such as interstate highways and state roads, have taken precedence over older methods of transportation and travel that the river provided in the early 1900s. Furthermore, Nebraska is home to a cache of fresh water lakes and rivers—including the Platte and Elkhorn Rivers—which helps make up for the absence of the Mississippi River.
Some experts view the lack of the Mississippi River in Nebraska to be a blessing in disguise. The Mississippi River is considered one of the most polluted water sources in the United States, and is inundated with an assortment of pollutants and sediments from various industries and farming. This has led to a number of contamination and waterborne illness cases related to the river in the states it runs through. Unfortunately, the distance of the Mississippi River from Nebraska has prevented the state from being directly exposed to these health risks and environmental issues.
The absence of the Mississippi River in Nebraska can largely be attributed to geography and accidents of fate. Despite the American Westward Expansion, the river managed to evade the grounds of the Midwestern state and even continues to stay away today. This has allowed Nebraska to flourish and build a prosperity rooted in its natural resources rather than relying on the unpredictable resources of the Mississippi River.
History of Nebraska’s relationship with the Mississippi River
Before Nebraska was brought into the Union in 1867, the relationship between the state and the Mississippi River was limited. Although the Louisiana Purchase allowed for abundant exploration, Nebraska’s closest connection to the river was through trade routes that were mostly concentrated in the state of Missouri. At this period, goods and merchandise were sent via Conestoga wagons along large land trails that connected the eastern parts of the United States with the West.
Going into the early 19th century, the state experienced tremendous growth with regard to the development of the Union Pacific Railroad, which was the first transcontinental railroad in the United States. This event marked a period of increased access and mobility for settlers traveling to and through Nebraska. As a result, business and trade with the Mississippi River increased significantly in the early 20th century, serving a key position in agriculture, goods transportation, and communication. By the time of the Civil War, the value of the Mississippi River had reached its peak.
Unfortunately, this peak in thevalue of the river led to a downturn in its reputation for Nebraskans, as news spread about the hazardous conditions and activities along the riverbanks. By occupation, residents of the state started to settle further and further away from the Mississippi River and its dangerous environment, diverting instead to other settlements within the state.
As the 20th century progressed, the decreased presence of the Mississippi River in Nebraska was punctuated by the development of the Interstate Highway System. As the highways reduced their reliance on the river, communication and travel during the postwar era shifted away from the riverside and onto new bicycle, passenger, and vehicle-friendly roads. This period marked the end of any meaningful connection between Nebraska and the Mississippi River.
Benefits and Opportunities in the Absence of the Mississippi in Nebraska
The main benefit of the Mississippi River’s absence in Nebraska is the ability of the state to distance itself from the numerous hazardous activities that go on at the riverbanks and along its waterways. Places such as the Shippingport Island, near the mouth of the Mississippi and outside the Gulf of Mexico, have experienced dramatic pollution in recent years due to the commercial and industrial activities associated with the river.
Secondly, the lack of the Mississippi River in Nebraska has enabled the state to take on more economic opportunities that were previously unavailable due to a strict connection to the river. For example, Nebraska has houses thousands of acres of farmland, largely identified for crop production, animal husbandry, and various agricultural products such as corn and wheat.
Also, the inability of the Mississippi River to navigate its course through Nebraska has enabled the state to take control over the development of a number of other rivers and lakes within its boundaries. Examples include the Platte and Elkhorn rivers that both have outdoor recreation spots, as well as the Lewis and Clark lakes in the western part of the state. The presence of these bodies of water has helped to compensate for the lack of the Mississippi River.
Finally, Nebraska’s lack of connection to the Mississippi River—in terms of both trade and travel—has led to an increase in other transportation methods. For instance, Nebraska’s highway network is among the best in the country, allowing for more efficient and safe transport of goods and passengers from state to state.
Impact of the Mississippi River’s Absence on Nebraska’s Economy
The absence of the Mississippi River in Nebraska has had a relatively minor effect on the economic development of the state. This is largely due to the fact that Nebraska’s economy is largely rooted in activities and industries that do not heavily depend on direct access to the Mississippi River.
An example of this is the significant agricultural production in the state. Farming and ranching activities have long been a staple of Nebraska’s economy, with the majority of the state’s agricultural production relying on land-based activities and resources, rather than riverside ones. This has helped to solidify the state’s economic independence, even with the absence of the Mississippi River.
The lack of the Mississippi River in Nebraska also has not had a major impact on the state’s tourism economy. Environmentally speaking, the state is still full of many awe-inspiring sights and attractions for visitors to experience. From Sandhills to chimney rock, the state provides plenty of recreational opportunities, thus compensating for the lack of the Mississippi.
Additionally, the absence of the river in Nebraska has allowed the state to experience some degree of economic growth. By not relying on the river for its transportation needs, Nebraska has opened up space for various industry centers and new investments, which has ultimately created more economic opportunity in the state.
Environmental Impact of the Mississippi’s Absence on Nebraska
The Mississippi River’s lack of presence in Nebraska has primarily been a positive thing in terms of environmental impact. The river is infamous for being one of the most polluted water sources in the United States, contaminated with harmful pollutants and pollutants resulting from various business, commerce, and agricultural activities.
In Nebraska, environmental risks associated with the Mississippi are kept to a minimum. The river is far enough away to prevent direct exposure to many of the pollutants, while any runoff or sediments that may travel in Nebraska and midwestern states are either filtered through or neutralized through the numerous lake and rivers in the area.
At the same time, citizens and businesses in Nebraska have been doing their part in keeping the environment safe in the state. From renewable energy initiatives to programs for reducing plastic waste and other forms of pollution, the absence of the Mississippi River in Nebraska has had a positive effect on environmental protection.
The lack of the Mississippi River in Nebraska has also enabled the state to experience a variety of waterside activities and recreation, such as fishing, swimming, and boating. These activities can take place in much safer conditions away from the main river, while still providing tourists and residents alike with a fantastic outdoor experience.
Impact on Nebraska’s Cultural Identity
Nowadays, Nebraska is known for its vibrant outdoor activities, celebrated history, and diverse set of residents. Unfortunately, this image does not directly reflect the state’s relationship with the Mississippi River. The significance of the river for early travelers of Nebraska is forgotten and only activity remembered are details such as the Union Pacific Railroad and Lewis & Clark’s expedition.
Nevertheless, the absence of the Mississippi River in Nebraska has enabled the state to take full command of its own cultural identity, far away from the dangers and pollution associated with the river. Residents of the state have managed to build a culture of their own, driven by the hands, hearts, and minds of the all the diverse people that call Nebraska home, which has in-turn allowed them to truly shape their cultural identity.
Furthermore, the absence of the Mississippi River has enabled Nebraska to find cultural solace in a variety of places within the state, including theatres, museums, libraries, and sports venues. While these locations may not provide the same level of significance the river had prior to the mid-20th century, Nebraska has managed to gain a source of pride and admiration of its own, independent of the Mississippi.
Future Outlook: Does the Mississippi Flow through Nebraska Going into the Future?
Going into the future, experts tend to agree that Nebraska is likely to remain without any direct connection to the Mississippi River. Several major tributaries of the river exist in the states that neighbor Nebraska, but the course of the river is expected to stay further to the south and east of the state.
The absence of the Mississippi River in Nebraska can also be attributed to geography, as Nebraska is situated in an area close to the 100th meridian line, known as the Great American Desert. To the east of this line, heavy rainfall typically occurs, while the western areas are usually subject to much lower precipitation levels. As a result, the Mississippi River is unlikely to make its way further west to Nebraska in the foreseeable future.
In the end, the absence of the Mississippi River in Nebraska is unlikely to have major impacts on the state in the future, due to its already established presence in other states and its geographical distance from the state of Nebraska. The lack of a direct connection will likely benefit the state in terms of safety from the river’s pollutants, as well as helping to solidify the state’s diverse cultural identity.
