Mississippi River and Columbia River are two of the most significant rivers located in the United States. While the Mississippi River is the 2nd longest in the country, the Columbia River is the 4th longest. So, in terms of length, is the Mississippi River bigger than the Columbia River? In this article, we will examine the information, assess perspectives from experts, and analyze to come to a conclusion.
Mississippi River is the world’s 4th longest river which runs through 10 states in the United States, along with two provinces in Canada. Reports show that it starts in north-western Minnesota, and then passes through the states of Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, before it empties in the Gulf of Mexico. It is estimated to be a total of 2,530 miles long.
On the other hand, Columbia River flows through the U.S. states of Washington and Oregon and then moves through the province of British Columbia in Canada, before it ends up in the Pacific Ocean. It is 1,243 miles long, making it the 4th longest river in the U.S. However, its watershed encompasses some 242,000 square miles, making it the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region.
Experts from Missouri State University report that the Mississippi River is wider and has a greater flow of water than the Columbia River. The flow rate for the Mississippi River varies from 600,000 to 1.2 million cubic feet per second. The flow rate for the Columbia River varies from 196,000 to 335,000 cubic feet per second. Hence, in terms of flow rates, the Mississippi River clearly outpaces the Columbia River.
The width of the Mississippi River is also greater at its widest point than the Columbia River. We can observe that the furthest point of the Mississippi River is some 11 miles wide, while the maximum width of the Columbia River is 7 miles wide.
Overall, the evidence that we have seen indicates that the Mississippi River is clearly larger than the Columbia River. Both rivers are significant to the United States, however, the largest river remains the Mississippi River.
The Discharge
The average discharge of the Mississippi River is estimated to be between 6 and 7 million gallons of water per second. The drainage of the Mississippi continues down a further 14 states, as well as, two Canadian Provinces. Consequently, Mississippi is the third largest drainage basin in the world.
In comparison to the Mississippi River, the average discharge from the Columbia River is around 300 thousand gallons of water per second. This makes it the 4th largest drainage basin in the United States. It is important to note, however, that the Columbia River’s drainage system serves the largest area of land in the United States.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers that is responsible for maintaining navigation systems has created navigation locks and dams on the Mississippi River. The navigation locks are responsible for controlling the depth of the river as well as allowing boats to travel up and down the river. For instance, there is the navigation lock located in Minneapolis, Minnesota which has the responsibility of preventing flooding by managing the water levels.
The Columbia River similarly has an artificial navigation lock, located in Astoria, Oregon, which has the purpose of regulating the water level and providing an easy path for ships to travel. The US Army Corps of Engineers is also responsible for the maintenance of this lock.
The Tributaries
The Mississippi River and its tributaries are responsible for providing water to more than 17 million Americans across the Midwest. Additionally, it is one of the most important rivers for commercial navigation in the United States. The tributaries of the river include the Ohio River, Missouri River, Illinois River and many others. The Ohio River runs along the border between Ohio and Kentucky and is one of the largest and most polluted rivers in the Midwest.
The Columbia River has less tributaries than the Mississippi. The major tributaries of the Columbia River include the Snake River, Kootenai River and Fraser River. The Snake River, the largest tributary, drains parts of Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon and is known for featuring the deepest and most rugged canyons in North America.
The Impacts on Society
The Mississippi River has had a major impact on the history, culture, and economy of the United States. It was used by Native Americans as a trading route and sustenance. The river was described as the ‘Great River of the West’ despite the dangerous conditions associated with the river in the early times. Over the years, the river has become a major transportation route both for goods and people.
The Columbia River also has a long history, stretching back to its first use by local Indigenous groups. The Columbia River has been a source of sustenance since its numerous fish made it an important natural resource for the people living in the basin. Since its first use by Native Americans, the river has been an important source of hydropower, which has enabled significant developments of industry in the area.
Environmental Factors
In the Mississippi River basin, there are numerous environmental problems that arise from contamination of the soil, water, and air. Much of this contamination is due to runoff created by agricultural and industrial practices. In addition, the river has also been impacted by overfishing and excessive irrigation, resulting in reduced water quality. Environmental groups are aware of these issues and are making an effort to limit these contaminants by introducing more sustainable practices.
The Columbia River has experienced issues with high levels of contaminants in its riverine systems. In particular, the river’s watershed has been contaminated from agricultural runoff and atmospheric deposition of pollutants. Recent studies have also shown that some of the contaminants have even made their way into the river’s fish, which affects the people and animals that rely on the fish for sustenance.
Conclusion
To sum up, although both the Mississippi River and Columbia River rivers are impressive bodies of water in their own right, the overwhelming evidence suggests that the Mississippi River is larger than the Columbia River in terms of length, width and flow rate. The drainage systems they both provide are responsible for a large portion of the United states and its inhabitants, but the Mississippi River’s impacts clearly extend further due to its massive size and overall volume of water.
