Overview of Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is one of the most important waterways in the United States. This majestic river winds its way through 10 states of the US and provides many important shipping and transportation connections between the east and west coasts. Travelling a total of 2,340 miles, the Mississippi River plays a crucial role in buoying the economy of many of the states that it touches, providing vital transportation connections and direct flow of goods for many industries. It is one of the longest rivers in the world, and its long journey provides homes to an incredible variety of species and an impressive range of scenery.
Geography of the River
The Mississippi River starts in the north at Lake Itasca in Minnesota and makes its way south, feeding into the Missouri River near St Louis, before eventually joining up with the Atchafalaya River in Louisiana, and finally emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s the second longest river in North America, spanning five different books, two of which it feeds into, the two aforementioned rivers. It is the fourth longest in the world, behind only the Nile, Amazon, and Yangtze.
The Mississippi is the second largest river system in the United States and its 1.2 million square mile drainage basin covers 31% of the continental United States. It collects over 90% of the storm runoff from a swath of the Midwest area, including an astonishing 41% of the runoff from the 23 US states who share its river system.
Economic Impact
The economic impact of the Mississippi River is tremendous, from the dozens of ports, hundreds of locks, and thousands of miles of levees, the Mississippi connects centralized parts of the country and brings countless opportunities for economic trade. It provides employment for countless engineering and maritime professionals, and businesses span across a range of realms, from ocean carriers to barge operators and most notably, towboat operators. In addition, the River governs port activities throughout the ten states it passes through, providing crucial economic lifeblood for many of the towns and cities it touches.
The River draws a diverse crowd of visitors and adventurers alike, with hundreds of thousands of visitors travelling through its corridors each year. Visitors are attracted to its vibrant river culture and its impressive biodiversity, with over 300 species of fish, numerous birds and other animal life adorning its banks.
The River’s importance to the economy of the affected areas cannot be underestimated – without its myriad waterways, the economies of thousands of towns and cities would suffer greatly.
Regulatory Efforts and Preservation of Ecosystem
Throughout the years, many regulatory efforts were undertaken in order to preserve the ecosystem of the Mississippi River. Different agencies have been created to monitor the river’s health and to ensure its protection. The US Army Corps of Engineers is the government’s lead agency responsible for managing the Mississippi River. They set standards and regulations for the river and its more than 20,000 miles of waterways. They also work to maintain the natural beauty and prevent erosion, while making sure that the rafting industry, the two ports, and other recreational activities can coexist with commercial navigation.
The Mississippi River’s current health has improved greatly, thanks to the efforts of environmental organizations, government agencies and local communities. Conservation efforts have paid off, with improvements in water quality, wildlife habitat, and the establishment of measures to prevent siltation. This has resulted in a slow but steady recovery of the river, with an increased presence of wildlife species such as bald eagles, herons, spoonbills and pelicans.
How Many States does the Mississippi River Go Through?
The Mississippi River goes through 10 states in total – Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. This grand river flows through the heart of these states, with Memphis, St. Louis, New Orleans, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge and Natchez being some of the most important cities that line its course. With a vast network of tributaries, the Mississippi River is dappled with myriad of creeks, bayous and lagoons that weave through the 10 states it touches.
The river has been an integral part of the cultural and economic fabric of these states since they were first settled by Europeans – it has been used as a major transportation corridor by indigenous people for centuries and remains equally important to the lives of the people who call its banks home.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River remains one of the most important waterways in the United States, providing transportation connections and bolstering the economy of the 10 states it passes through. Its importance to the people of these states is indelible – it provides a connection between the east and west coasts, and beckons with its impressive biodiversity and its remarkable river culture. Its scenic beauty and serenity is unparalleled, and its critical strategic position remains as important now as it has ever been.
