Many of the folks from the United States know that the Mississippi River is one of the longest rivers in the country, stretching a whopping 2,320 miles. Did you ever wonder how many states the river actually touches? Between its headwaters in Minnesota, it meanders down to the gulf of Mexico in Louisiana, and the answer may surprise you.
On its way, the Mississippi River forms the border between Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, and it also serves as the divide between Minnesota and North Dakota. Continuing, the river flows through all or parts of Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Overall, the river is said to actually touch 10 states throughout its entire length!
It is said that one of the great benefits of the Mississippi River is that it provides many opportunities for recreation activities. From fishing, paddling and camping to sailing, barbecuing and bird-watching, visitors from the across the states can find something to enjoy, although many travelers prefer the Illinois and Missouri sections of the river.
For those who love a bit of history, the riverfront cities of St. Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg and Baton Rouge also offer a great opportunity to learn about the past. In some cases, there are charming old homes and buildings of cultural importance that just can’t be matched. Whether it’s the old riverfront churches, warehouses, and gambling halls you want to see in Memphis, or the Greek Revival-style houses in Natchez and Baton Rouge, it’s definitely worth making a visit.
However, it isn’t just history that entices tourists to the Mississippi River basin. In fact, experts say that the terrain along the river banks is quite diverse. There are swamps, wetlands and woodlands, but also fields, riversides, and meadows. A variety of wildlife also orbit the landscapes, such as snakes and lizards, storks, beavers and pelicans.
Interestingly, it is said that the amount of fresh water from all of the states that feed the Mississippi River is massive. Arkansas and Missouri contribute more than 20% of the river’s fresh water, with the tributaries from the remaining eight states (MN, WI, IA, IL, KY, TN, MS and LA) pouring in the remainder. This abundance of fresh water makes it possible for some of the most unusual aquatic animals and aquatic plants to live in the Mississippi River.
Impact of the Mississippi River on Economy
Apart from its natural beauty, the Mississippi River also plays a critical role in the American economy, serving as an important navigational highway and providing a direct line to most of America’s largest cities. It is said that large barges on the water can carry some 5,000 tons of cargo at any one time, thereby helping to efficiently move large amounts of goods (and services) in one go. This makes the river an important resource for the states it touches – even producing an entire industry which relies on the river’s access and transportation! This is essential for many of the towns, cities and villages along the riverbanks in order to boost economic development.
Effects of Mississippi River on the Environment
However, the Mississippi River is not without its effects on the environment. Pollution is one of the major issues in the river caused by the sheer volume of people, vessels and wildlife that live along its banks. Furthermore, the levees which help control the Mississippi River have been known to have far reaching negative effects on the river’s environment, as the disruption of the river’s flow can contribute to flooding and drought.
Also, experts point out that the water of the Mississippi River is increasingly becoming polluted due to runoff from agricultural land and wastewater produced by industries. It is said that the impacts of these pollutants can reach far downstream. Furtheremore, the growing sediment load in the river’s waters has caused its channels to change and become more erratic, resulting in hazardous navigation conditions for ships attempting to travel along it.
Balance of the Mississippi River
Despite the aforementioned challenges, efforts are being made to balance the Mississippi River eco-system and help it become healthy again. According to experts, regulating the amount of pollution in the river is of the utmost importance. To do this, wastewater-treatment plants have been introduced to help clean the water, while industrial pollution is being addressed through the implementation of stricter environmental regulations.
Furthermore, conservation projects are being put in place to restore wildlife along the river. Wetland restoration sites and fish passage structures have been built, while new management policies have been established that aim to reduce sedimentation while increasing the amount of fish and other wildlife in the river. It is thought that these projects have helped to restore the balance of the river, and will ultimately help to protect it in the future.
Conclusion
So, what have we learned? The Mississippi River is an astonishing 2,320 mile-long waterway that touches 10 states: Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. While it has played an enormous role in America’s economy, it has also experienced a myriad of environmental issues caused by pollution and human interference. Though, with the help of conservation projects, the river is gradually getting back to its former glory, and with any luck it’ll continue to do so in the future.
