When asked to think of the rivers that shape our great nation, the mighty Mississippi River comes to mind. From the Northwoods of Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River is a remarkable force of nature, fueling America’s economic, civic, and cultural prosperity for centuries. But how many states does the Mississippi River run through, and what does its presence mean for those states?
The Mississippi River is part of American identity, and its waterways have been part of our nation since the earliest inhabitants. From the central plains of Ohio to the swamps of Louisiana and beyond, the Mississippi River has been critical to regional development, as it has provided towns and cities with food, water, and transportation for generations.
Technically, the length of the Mississippi River totals around 2,350 miles, running through the central United States and ultimately emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. Its broad range of states and ecosystems is astounding. All told, the Mississippi River runs through a total of 10 U.S. states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
When looking at the magnitude of the Mississippi River, it’s clear that it has been an integral part of American life for centuries. With regards to these 10 states, it serves as a lifeblood for many of its key industries and noteworthy landforms. In the Upper Midwest, cities in Wisconsin like La Crosse and Dubuque boast a revitalized riverfront and powerful defense of their river communities. In Arkansas, the Mississippi River marks the end of the renowned Trail of Tears and further in the South, the mighty Mississippi River made famous the majestic bayous of Louisiana.
Today, the Mississippi River continues to bring life, prosperity and recreation to the states it flows through. Its commercial value cannot be overstated. Its waters and shipping channels are integral to the industries of forestry, agriculture and tourism, and human ingenuity has forged hundreds of miles of dams, locks, and levees to facilitate economic development. Recreational transport, such as commercial and pleasure cruise ships, can still be found in State ports all along the Mississippi.
Ultimately, the Mississippi River has been responsible for the growth and aggrandizement of 10 states — a geographic swath of America with rich and diverse cultures. Its magnificent abundance of fish, wildlife, and vegetation has enriched farmers, fishermen, and entrepreneurs for centuries, and its mighty waters have become an integral part of the American story.
Environmental Impact
The impact of the Mississippi River is far-reaching. From the aquifers and groundwater in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois to the wildlife habitats of Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana, the ecology of the Mississippi River is a rich tabernacle of nature’s gifts to this great nation.
The greatest environmental effect of the river is its ability to transport nutrients, sediments, and dissolved organic compounds that are beneficial to plant and animal life along its orbit. These waters blend with other rivers, forming a complex network of diverse and vibrant water that covers nearly 15 percent of the US’s total area.
The Mississippi River is also home to hundreds of species of coral, fish, birds, and mammals, providing vital habitat for migratory and threatened species. This relationship between the health of the river and its many inhabitants is intertwined — an imbalance to the water can be detrimental to the species that rely on its support.
Finally, an overlooked, but important, role of the Mississippi River is its role in climate change mitigation. The Mississippi River is one of the largest carbon reserves in the United States, containing large amounts of organic carbon locked away in its sediment. This layer of sediment acts as a buffer from the sun’s radiation and prevents the warming of the atmosphere.
Social Effects
In addition to its environmental impacts, the Mississippi River has profoundly impacted the economic and social lives of the ten states it touches upon. From Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville’s first voyage down the river in 1699 to the steamboat revolution of the early 19th century, the Mississippi River has been responsible for the growth of many small towns and cities. The river has been integral in connecting these towns to larger cities and enabling migrants, supplying food, and giving rise to industries in its wake.
The story is similar today, as the Mississippi River continues to bring immense economic opportunity and resources to the states it travels through. Its primary industries, such as agriculture and shipping, are still vibrant and yield over $2 billion a year. Furthermore, cities like Memphis and St. Louis have become staples in the heartland and some of America’s most vibrant music scenes, paying homage to the river of life.
The banks of the Mississippi have been a powerful draw for tourists for centuries and today, leisurely navigation and recreation on the Mississippi is more popular than ever. The might of the river is a awe-inspiring experience to visitors from all over the world.
Political Influence
The Mississippi River has traditionally been a source of national pride and an inseparable source of cultural history and identity for the United States. More recently, the river has maintained its important function for many political and legal matters that affect the states along its path.
The passing of waterways bills, such as the 1972 Clean Water Act and its 1977 amendments, were designed to protect and restore water quality and river habitat along the Mississippi River and tributaries. Similarly, in 2001, Congress passed a transition policy and funding to spur funds and resources towards improving water quality and infrastructure projects along the river.
Most recently, in 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed the Mississippi Watershed Beneficial Use Reconsideration, the first nationwide effort by the two agencies to modernize water management throughout the Mississippi River Basin. This initiative seeks to reduce nutrient loading and restore the Mississippi to a healthy, productive state for its flora and fauna.
The Mississippi, through treaties and laws, remains a contested and vital waterway, with nations from all over the world contributing to its care.
Recent Efforts
The care of the Mississippi River is of the utmost importance for all states that are touched by the river. For example, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) has been charged with building and maintaining an extensive network of coastal waters and wetland restoration projects designed to build upon the most current knowledge of coastal science, boosting the state’s resiliency and responding to the impacts of climate change.
The state of Minnesota has long been seen as a leader in the protection of the Mississippi River and its tributaries, by enacting legislation designed to protect and preserve the river. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has set a goal of restoring the river to safe times to toxin levels and the state of Mississippi has drafted its own legislative plans to protect its portion of the river.
Nonprofit organizations also play a role in protecting the integrity of the Mississippi river. One such organization is the Mississippi River Network (MRN) which actively works to restore balance to the river’s ecology, ensures that all 10 states receive the same level of protection for the river, and seeks to influence policy makers ensuring that realistic and equitable solutions are pursued to protect the Mississippi River for all its inhabitants.
Conservation Leadership
Conservation leadership from individuals and organizations is needed across the 10 states the Mississippi River passes through. Research done by the MRN has shown that most of the issues related to the river boil down to human activity; as such, state agencies and private organizations need to focus on galvanizing and collaborating with one another in order to ensure the river’s long-term health.
The MRN has also created a coalition of environmental, business, recreational, and religious organizations throughout the 10 states in an effort to promote leadership for conservation efforts. This includes creating “river trusts” that allow citizens to shape the future of their local rivers, creating networks of businesses and individuals engaging in river restoration projects, and expanding access to the river through public paddle trails and river walks.
Each of the 10 states must take responsibility for its portion of the Mississippi River, and give back to the river in return. From improved water quality to recreational access and habitat restoration, state-level solutions must be adopted in order to ensure the long-term health of the Mississippi River and its many important occupants.
