How far away from the Mississippi River is Chicago? Most people know the city of Chicago is located in the US state of Illinois. But what is the exact distance from the Mississippi River to the Windy City?
The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in the US; winding its way from its source in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Chicago lies 583 miles away from the mouth of the Mississippi River. To put this into perspective, it is almost 900 miles away from the river’s source in Saint Anthony Falls, Minnesota. It’s a very long-distance between Chicago and the Mississippi River, and it’s even further if you turn around and follow by car.
Those who want to calculate the exact distance between these two locations face an interesting problem: there is no definitive answer. This is because of the winding nature of the river. The Mississippi River’s total length is 2,320 miles, but the actual distance between Chicago and the Mississippi River’s source will depend on your route. If you decide to drive from Chicago to the source of the Mississippi River, you should plan for a journey of 970 miles, give or take.
The closest that Chicago gets to the Mississippi River is Ninety Six, South Carolina. This is a town located roughly 620 miles away from the mouth of the river. The distance from Chicago to Ninety Six is 884 miles. As Chicago is approximately halfway between Georgia and Minnesota, this makes sense geographically.
It’s interesting to note that even though Chicago is so far away from the Mississippi River, the city was directly affected by the river’s flooding in the twentieth century. The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 caused the Mississippi River to swell, resulting in flooding in a number of towns and cities along the river’s banks. Chicago, which was 583 miles away, was among those affected. The flood also changed the course of the Mississippi River, making it even longer and further away from Chicago.
However, Chicago’s relationship with the Mississippi River goes beyond geography. The city has an intrinsic connection with the river, and this can be seen in everything from the historical buildings that still stand today to the sculptures designed by local artists.
For instance, Chicago has several buildings that stand on the banks of the Mississippi River. These buildings include the iconic Lock and Dam 15, which was built in 1912, as well as the Shedd Aquarium, Shedd Planetarium, and Adler Planetarium, all of which have played host to millions of visitors over the years.
The Chicago River also has a special connection with the Mississippi River. While the Chicago River is a wholly separate body of water, its banks were affected by the floods of 1927 and subsequent floods. Moreover, the Chicago River has been connected to the Mississippi River via a series of canals, locks, and dams since 1900. By connecting these two bodies of water, it was possible to direct the flow of the Mississippi River’s water towards Chicago, thereby allowing the city to grow and develop.
The Muddy Mississippi River Valley
The Mississippi River Valley is vast, extending along a large part of the middle of the US at a length of over two thousand miles. Its natural beauty is breathtaking and its geological characteristics are second to none. In addition, the river banks are lined with emerald-green grasslands and towering oaks, creating a spectacular panorama.
The Mississippi River Valley is home to vast biodiversity and is a popular spot for birdwatching. Over 350 species of migratory and resident birds have been spotted in the valley. The valley has also been declared a “Wildlife Refuge” by the US Government, making it an important part of the country’s ecological landscape.
The Mississippi River Valley is also an incredibly important commercial artery for the US. The shallow depth of the river makes it one of the fastest routes for transportation and shipping. The valley also provides a natural barrier to assist the US military, with multiple military bases located on its banks.
However, the Mississippi River is not without its problems. In recent years, the river has experienced rapid flooding and severe water pollution, resulting in a drastic decrease in the number of fish found in the river. The pollution has also caused an increase in harmful blue-green algae, which has been blamed for a number of serious health issues.
In addition, human activity has continued to put strain on the Mississippi River Valley. Industrialization, population growth, and agricultural runoff have all contributed to the river’s degradation. As such, the Mississippi River Valley needs protection if it hopes to remain a vibrant and scenic area of natural beauty.
The Waterways between The Mississippi River and Chicago
The waterways between the Mississippi River and Chicago are quite intricate and can take some careful navigating. The journey from Mississippi to Chicago involves passing through a multitude of locks and dams, as well as a number of other bodies of water.
The first step is to make the trip through Missouri’s Blackbird Slough, a slow-moving river that connects the Mississippi to the Mississippi Delta. After that, boats must travel through a series of locks to reach the Ohio River, a major tributary of the Mississippi. At the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, boats must make the transition to the American River, a shorter but faster route to Chicago.
Once a boat reaches the American River, navigators have to be prepared for a few more locks, dams, and swaths of open water before reaching the Illinois River. This is the last leg of the journey from the Mississippi River to Chicago. After the Illinois River, your trip continues through a network of canals connecting the river to Lake Michigan, the body of water that Chicago lies on.
The entire journey from the Mississippi River to Chicago cannot take place in one day. It requires careful planning and accurate navigation to navigate the intricate terrain and waterways. Nevertheless, the journey is one that many find both beautiful and fascinating, often finding themselves in awe at the wonders of nature.
The Environmental Green Infrastructure of The Mississippi River Valley
The environment of the Mississippi River Valley has long been threatened by human activity. In a bid to protect this valuable ecosystem, conservationists, governments, and other organisations have been promoting the development of green infrastructure along the river’s banks and around its tributaries.
Green infrastructure systems provide valuable services for ecosystems, humans, and animals alike. They include practices such as planting green vegetation for carbon sequestration, constructing wetland habitats for rare species of birds, and restoring natural areas that had been degraded by human activity. By gradually cultivating and restoring an area, green infrastructure can bring about long-lasting and positive changes to the river’s ecology.
The Missouri, Ohio, and Illinois River have all seen green infrastructure projects in recent years, with many more planned for the future. In addition, a number of organizations are involved in promoting restoration and conservation efforts in the valley, with a particular focus on educating the local populace about the importance of preserving the environment.
In addition to the green infrastructure, numerous non-profits and government programs have been working together to implement measures to improve water management and reduce the risk of flooding in the Mississippi River Valley. These efforts have involved such strategies as improving communication between authorities and building dams and levees to prevent or at least mitigate the effects of future floods.
The Cultural Significance of The Mississippi River For Chicago
Despite the great physical distance between them, the Mississippi River and Chicago have a strong cultural connection. This can be seen in the city’s many museums and monuments that celebrate the river’s role in the city’s history and development.
The Art Institute of Chicago is home to a number of exhibitions detailing the Great Flood of 1927, with archival images, photographs and paintings illustrating how the river changed the city. In addition, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Chicago History Museum have both hosted exhibitions paying tribute to the history of the Mississippi River Valley.
In recent years, the culture of Chicago has continued to focus on the Mississippi River, with multiple public works of art dedicated to the river. The Shrine of Our Lady of Lorette, for instance, is a sculpture located on the banks of the Chicago River to commemorate the Mississippi River’s importance to the city’s history. The sculpture symbolizes hope, beauty, and resilience in the face of hardship, making it the perfect reflection of the city’s relationship with the Mississippi River.
Other examples of sculptures reflecting the Mississippi River’s influence on Chicago can be found in the form of murals painted onto the walls of buildings across the city. Many of these murals are a tribute to the brave people who lived through the floods in the twentieth century, while others celebrate the river’s natural beauty and its role in the city’s history.
The Mississippi River and Chicago share a history of flood and destruction, but ultimately one of resilience and progress. The river is far away from the Windy City, yet its reach is long and its relationship with the city is deeply felt.
