The Mississippi River has been a source of inspiration to generations of writers, explorers and muscians, and is undeniably one of the most iconic rivers in human history. And with its legendary status, a question lingers: Is the Mississippi River longer than the Missouri?
To answer this question, it is important to understand the context in which these two rivers exist. At their source, the Missouri River is 2,601 km in length and is located just outside of Three Forks, Montana, while the Mississippi River is 2,340 km in length and is located in Lake Itasca, in north-central Minnesota. Going down river, the Missouri River is nearly 2,000 km longer than the Mississippi River, and is therefore the longest river in the United States. However, this does not take into account the tributaries of these two rivers.
When factoring in the tributaries of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, the tides quickly shift in favor of the Mississippi. With the inclusion of the Mississippi’s branches, the mighty Mississippi becomes the longest river in the United States, measuring at a staggering 6,276 kilometers.
So why is the length of the Mississippi so much greater with the addition of its tributaries? The answer is simple: geography. The Missouri River is born in the Rocky Mountains, where the terrain is rugged and the rivers are further apart.
Impact of Distance on Length of River
The terrain of the Rocky Mountains is vast and wild, which prevents tributaries from coming into close connection with the main Missouri River. This is unlike the Mississippi, which is born from Lake Itasca in a mostly- flat terrain that allows snow-melt water to easily make its way into the Mississippi River so that the river will eventually connect the entire territorial area of the United States of America.
The distance between tributaries is also far larger with the Missouri River, which prevents any significant distance to be added to its measured length. On the other hand, the Mississippi River has already been connected to several tributaries even before reaching its source, accounting for approximately 1,000 km of additional length. Additionally, there are more tributaries that connect with the Mississippi River as it goes down farther south, stretching it to as far as the Gulf of Mexico.
Mississippi River’s impact on Economy
The length of the Mississippi River has a major impact on the US economy since it provides many opportunities for transportation. Every year, the Mississippi River carries a huge number of goods, minerals and other important items from different parts of the USA and even from across the world, allowing for quick and easy shipping. In addition, the rivers multiple tributaries serve as an ideal environment for fishing and recreational activities, contributing to an annual increase in tourism and local businesses related to the river. In fact, the net economic impact of the tourism industry in and around the Mississippi River is estimated to be more than $22 billion per year.
Environmental Benefits of the Mississippi River
Aside from its economic benefits, the Mississippi River is a source of life and sustenance. Thousands of unique species of plants and animals find shelter in the various branches of the river, making them a vital part of the local habitat. And even with the drastic changes and damage that have occurred over the years due to silting, climate change, and human activities like pollution, the river continues to thrive.
Reasons Why Missouri Is Still Longer than Mississippi
Although the Mississippi River is technically the longest in the USA when taking into account its tributaries, the Missouri River is still considered to be the longest when looking at the straight line of the river itself. While the tributaries add an additional 3,936 km of length to the Mississippi, the length of the Missouri itself increases by only 59 km. This is mainly due to the location of the two rivers. The Missouri River originates high in the Rocky Mountains while the Mississippi River begins in northern Minnesota, which is much lower and closer to the Delta.
The Role of Watershed in River Length
One of the reasons that the Missouri River is longer than the Mississippi River without its tributaries lies in their respective watersheds. The watershed of a river is the region of land that, when added together, drains into that river. In this case, the Missouri River’s watershed is much larger than that of the Mississippi, with over one million square kilometers drained by the Missouri compared to the Mississippi’s 684,000 square kilometer drainage area. This larger watershed is what allows the Missouri River to be the longest river in the United States without its tributaries.
U.S Government Policies and Its affect On Length of River
The United States government has had a significant role in shaping the length of both the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. In the early 1900s, the government decided to build a series of dams along the Missouri River, the most significant being the Garrison Dam, which altered the course of the river and added hundreds of kilometers of length to the Missouri’s total length. On the other hand, the government’s policies regarding the management of the Mississippi River have focused more on conservation and less on expansion, which is why its length has remained relatively unchanged over the decades.
Mississippi and Missouri as Major Shipping Reservoirs
Despite the length discrepancy between the Mississippi and Missouri, the two rivers still provide major shipping resources for the United States. Every year, millions of tons of shipping vessels rely on both rivers to transport goods and materials to various points throughout the country, making them invaluable parts of America’s transportation infrastructure. Furthermore, many companies and industries located along the rivers depend on them for the transportation of their goods, ensuring their economic success.
Impact on the flora and Fauna
Lastly, the health of both the Mississippi and Missouri rivers have a major impact on the native flora and fauna of the regions. Wildlife, including fish, mammals and birds, depend on the rivers for their sustenance and survival. Furthermore, the presence of these rivers provides a vital source of water for local ecosystems, keeping them healthy and vibrant. Any changes to these ecosystems, such as changes to water levels, could have a detrimental impact on local populations and the overall health of the regions.
