Introduction
The Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States, running from the headwaters in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in the south. Along its nearly 2,320-mile journey, it touches 10 states and provides a home to many cities and towns. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, since 2008about 35 million people live in the Mississippi waters. More than 250 cities and towns, many of them home to millions, line the banks of this iconic river.
Where it Begins
The Mississippi River begins in northern Minnesota at Lake Itasca, a small and beautiful lake which is the headwaters of the Mississippi. This source is marked by a tiny stone monument in the lake’s center. Flowing southward through the river’s northern reaches, it gathers strength — and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul — before leaving Minnesota and dipping into Wisconsin.
The Journey Downriver
Continuing on its way, the Mississippi River is joined by the Mighty Missouri and makes its way through the states of Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. The towns of Davenport and Dubuque in Iowa, Quincy, Ill., and Hannibal, home of author Mark Twain, are just a few of the many towns that line its banks. The river cuts a sharp bend into Arkansas, the region known as the Arkansas Delta, and finally enters Tennessee where the city of Memphis acts almost as the rivers’ gateway to the Gulf of Mexico
Cities of the South
The Delta region is home to many of the largest cities on the Mississippi River. The bustling metropolis of New Orleans was built at the mouth of the river, with territory both north and south of the river in Louisiana. Before reaching its end in the Gulf, the Mississippi runs through Vicksburg, Miss., which saw a bloody battle in the Civil War, and Natchez, a city known for its antebellum mansions.
Economic Influence of the Mississippi
The Mississippi helps connects the Midwest with the rest of the country. The river provides a way to transport goods and people without the expense of roads or railways. It’s estimated that transportation of goods on the Mississippi generates nearly $23 billion a year. It has allowed Arkansas, Mississippi and other states to develop an agricultural-based economy to supply the rest of the country with rice, soybeans, corn, wheat and other goods.
Environmental Impact of the Cities
The presence of hundreds of cities on the Mississippi puts stress on the environment, both upstream and down. Often located along the banks of the river, these towns may cause erosion along the shoreline due to construction, and the runoff from their streets and homes can seep into the river and pollute it. Most towns, however, have established strict water-quality guidelines to ensure that the river remains clean, and many have invested in conservation and eco-friendly practices to protect the area.
The Power and Magnificence of the Mississippi
The Mississippi River’s route cuts through the center of the nation and has had a huge impact on the US both historically and economically. Whether it was for transportation, shipping, trading, or merely exploration, the cultures that were borne from the current of the Mississippi were vast and complex and from them, our nation has seen its share of development, growth, war and peace. The mighty river is and always will be a part of America’s culture and a source of national pride.
Mississippi River Bridges
The Mississippi river bridges, connecting states and cities along the banks of the river, are iconic, engineering feats. The bridge at Minneapolis, the world’s longest suspension bridge, spanning over a mile and a half of the Mississippi, has become a symbol of the city and the strength of the river and was declared a Historical Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Barge Traffic
The principal navigation channel of the Mississippi River stretches from St. Louis in Missouri to the Gulf of Mexico in the south. Barge traffic is the major form of transportation on this channel, with more than 67 million short tons of cargo moved annually. This traffic is regulated on a navigational channel that is 45 feet deep and varies in width from 350 to 400 feet. A network of 29 locks and dams, as well as six major river ports, help to support this operation.
Levees
In an attempt to control the power of flooding, engineers have built manmade levees along the banks of the river. Levees are long, earth walls constructed along the sides of the river to provide protection from floods. While they have saved countless lives and prevented billions of dollars of damage over the years, they have not been without their drawbacks. The purpose of levees is to protect low-lying land adjacent to rivers and streams from flooding. By providing a barrier against the flow of water, they raise the level of the land, causing the water to be diverted elsewhere, and in some cases, causing flooding in unintended areas
Restoration Projects
In response to the degradation of the river due to unsustainable practices, federal, state and local governments have invested heavily in restoring the environmental health of the Mississippi River. Among the most notable restoration projects were the construction of wetlands, reforestation of heavily logged areas, implementation of eco-friendly farming practices, testing for toxins, and strict water and air quality monitoring.
Conclusion
The Mississippi is more than just a river, it is a living breathing lifeline. From its sources to its mouth, it carries generations of history, folklore and culture. With more than 250 vibrant cities and towns, countless bridges, museums and landscapes, the Mississippi River provides an avenue of exploration and learning. It has been called America’s heartland, and it provides a glimpse into the beauty and rejuvenation that only nature and historical significance can offer.
