The Length of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River’s length has long been a source of fascination for travelers and tourists. Its unparalleled size, power and presence make it beloved around the world.The mostofficial dimensions of the Mississippi come from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). According to the USGS website, the Mississippi River flows from Lake Itasca in Minnesota to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico, and is officially 2,202 miles long. That works out to around 3,565 kilometers.
The length of the Mississippi has long been a historical curiosity due to its ever-changing nature. Over the millennia, its course has shifted, sometimes dramatically so. In fact, according to the USGS, surveyors have noted up to 30 alterations along the river, including the movement of its entire delta region. The location of the mouth of the Mississippi has slowly moved some 90 miles downriver since its earliest days, encompassing several distinct branches over time.
Historical Changes of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi has been altered numerous times by builders and surveyors. In some cases the goal was to stymie the natural, winding course of the river, allowing for easier trade and navigation. Some of the most famous, large-scale modifications came during the Civil War in the 1600’s. Begun in 1701, a French-led project aimed to divert much of the Mississippi’s critical flow directly into the Gulf of Mexico, bypassing hundreds of miles of its original waterway.
Flavel T. Grant of the US Army Corps of Engineers wrote in his 1936 book, The Mississippi River Miscellany, of the project. He wrote of the plans, “If these should be executed, and in their effect the mouth of the river at the Gulf of Mexico becomes stopped, this plan will only reduce the length of the Mississippi River…” Sadly, the project was abandoned by 1717, as leader Sieur de Bienville encountered local resistance to the plan and insufficient financing for the project.
Despite some of the country’s largest engineering projects, the main branch of the Mississippi has stayed substantially the same since the 1700’s. Its main length has been well-surveyed and documented, allowing for accurate measurements and records of the river’s length for travelers, historians and researchers alike.
Mississippi River Key Widths and Depths
The Mississippi River broadly varies in width and depth as it moves through the country. This is due largely to the types of terrain it passes through and the different human engineering projects that have occurred along its banks. The minimum width of the river is 450 feet and minimum depth is 6.7 feet. As it moves to the Gulf of Mexico, the river’s width increases to roughly 5 miles and the depth is around 200 feet. Generally, the deepest points are near the mouth.
The average discharge rate of the Mississippi River is 408,000 cubic feet per second. In the years following extended periods of drought, the USGS notes an average rate of discharge of 621,000 cubic feet per second. This recorded rate is a reflection of the immense amount of runoff from its large watershed into the Mississippi.That discharge has a powerful influence on the river’s overall size and length.
The Impact of the Mississippi River on Life
The lifeblood of America, the Mississippi River has served as the foundation for the growth of towns, cities and industries across the American Midwest. It has served as an inspiration and guide for much of the country’s trade, cultural, and economic growth. Without the comprehensive engineering works over the years, it would not have been able to provide the same opportunities now afforded by these critical resources.
Life along the river has changed greatly over its many centuries of existence. From nutrient-rich soil in the banks of the river, to millions of migrating fish, the Mississippi and its tributaries have been a natural source of life-giving sustenance — feeding those that live along its course and those that travel near it.
The full length of the Mississippi provides an incredible opportunity to experience firsthand the power and beauty of one of the United States’ most amazing rivers. Its banks forever a testament to the unique and everchanging relationship between humans and the environment, the Mississippi River is truly one of nature’s wonders.
Mississippi River’s Major Cities and Areas of Interest
Along the Mississippi’s grand course are dozens of unique cities and towns worthy of exploration, each with its own unique flavor and personality. The home of America’s rich musical history, Memphis and New Orleans, the most famous of Mississippi’s cities, call to visitors with their famed musical heritage and streetside culture.
Minneapolis and St. Paul, the Twin Cities of Minnesota, are located near the origin of the Mississippi and provide a modern atmosphere full of entertainment, industry and culture. Also along the river are St. Louis and Vicksburg, notable areas of historical significance that played large roles in the American Civil War. Further down river lies the culturally diverse city of Baton Rouge and the music capital of Nashville, Tennessee.
The Mississippi River even offers travelers its own unique holiday, Vacation on The Great River Road. On this tour, visitors can trace the course of the Mississippi from its origin in Minnesota to its conclusion in the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, special stops offer insight into the river’s past, present and future.
The Mississippi River Bridge System
The bridges crossing the Mississippi River provide a connectivity not only between the diverse cities and towns, but also create an ever-growing bridge system that serves multiple functions. Whether as a major conduit of trucking and roadway traffic or a scenic conduit of sightseers, the Mississippi’s many bridges are often the only way to access some of the individual cities and towns.
Some of the most iconic bridges include the I-40 Hernando de Soto Bridge in Memphis, a major thoroughfare that crosses the Mississippi River connecting Arkansas and Tennessee. The I-35W Bridge Memorial in Minneapolis is an impressive testament to the engineering marvels of the bridge system, as is another of Minnesota’s crossings, the mighty High Bridge located just outside St. Paul. Further south, New Orleans’ Huey P. Long Bridge is an impressive cantilevered structure that spans the river. Finally, the I-10 Twin Span Bridge located 8 miles east of New Orleans on the east side of the Mississippi River is a vivid reminder of the power of engineering.
The Challenges of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River faces numerous challenges in the 21st Century. Since it was first mapped out, the river has become much more heavily populated and its longtime friends and foes must face numerous obstacles posed by the changing environment and human impact.
The Louisiana coast has experienced a significant loss of wetland due to the river’s channelization and increased flow, drastically limiting access for recreational fishing, swimming, and other aquatic activities. The US Army Corps of Engineers are tasked with monitoring and managing the Mississippi’s flow along its 2,202 miles, from northern Minnesota to its previous 4,000-plus mile delta near the Gulf of Mexico.
Naturally, the river is affected by severe weather phenomena like floods, droughts, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Government initiatives such as flood control and hurricane protection vital for sustaining human life in communities along the river continue to be a priority. If there is no effective management of the river, the breadth of its financial and environmental costs are staggering.
Effects of Changes in Land Elevation on The Mississippi River
As various topographical changes affect higher and lower land elevations, the Mississippi River can shift its course due to the effects of erosion and sedimentation. In the wilderness, development can severely threaten the health of the river by negatively impacting water flow and causing siltation, which affects the local environment.
This disruption can have a deleterious effect on the aquatic wildlife living in and around the river. For example, if sediment causes changes in the water clarity, the presence of vegetation in the riverbed can be reduced. Birds, turtles, and other wildlife species are then limited in their ability to hunt and feed from the river.
Moreover, when changes in land elevation and the water-table occur, bridges and other man-made structures that depend on the current course of the river can be affected. Unplanned river flow can also change the effectiveness of dams, increasing levels of flooding in surrounding communities.
The Mississippi River and Climate Change
Climate change is anticipated to produce significant changes in the future of the Mississippi River. River ecosystems are generally sensitive to climate changes, and the banks of the river may experience more dramatic seasonal shifts in temperature. As temperatures rise, the water flow rate of the river is expected to decrease while the water level is expected to remain higher throughout the year. In some cases, extreme rainfall events (comprised of larger and more frequent storms) have increased the risk of flooding in communities along the river.
Higher temperatures will also directly affect the health of fish in the river. During peak summer months, higher water temperatures could lead to an increase in mortality rate for fish, and it could also reduce their reproductive capacities. Changes in river temperature could also lead to a decrease in water clarity levels in the river and even a different composition of aquatic species.
Increased rain intensity and shifting precipitation patterns could also aggravate the presence of invasive species living in the Mississippi. As a result, river ecosystems may become increasingly unbalanced, unwanted species will proliferate, and potentially, food supply sources may be put in danger.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River is an integral part of life in the United States, and its existence stretches back centuries before the country’s founding. From its fluid course through the land to its ever-changing size, it continues to be an ever-evolving part of the cultural and economic life of Americans. Though the length of the Mississippi River is officially set at 2,202 miles, a rich history of environmental changes, human engineering and cultural influence has defined this integral waterway for centuries. Its power to influence life throughout the United States remains as the Mississippi River creates a passage from the north to the south and from the east to the west — a passage rich with life, light, music and history.
