The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in North America and is a critical source of transportation, trade, and economic activity in the United States. Spanning 2,320 miles (3,734 km), it drains 31 states and two Canadian provinces and has four major tributaries: the Missouri, Ohio, Arkansas and Red Rivers.
The Missouri River is the largest tributary of the Mississippi, covering a length of 2,341 miles. It takes its source in western Montana and runs southward through Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska and Kansas. It eventually flows into the Mississippi River in northern Missouri. The amount of flow added to the Mississippi by the Missouri River accounts for 43% of the total amount.
The Ohio River is the second-largest tributary of the Mississippi River. It forms in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers. It winds its way through Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and West Virginia before joining the Mississippi River near Cairo, Illinois. The power of the Ohio-Mississippi system has resulted in the creation of several major ports at their junction in the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys.
The Arkansas River is the third-largest tributary of the Mississippi, covering a length of 1,460 miles. It originates in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, and winds its way through Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas, before entering the Mississippi in Arkansas. It is an important river for the transportation of goods, and a great boon to the region’s economy.
The Red River, located between Texas and Oklahoma, is the fourth largest tributary of the Mississippi River. Its source is located in the Piney Woods of East Texas, and it flows south through Southwest Arkansas and Louisiana, before entering the Mississippi near Vicksburg, Mississippi. It is known as the ‘silent’ river because there is no sound made when the river is low.
Trade
The four tributaries of the Mississippi are vital sources of trade and economic activity within their respective states and all along the Mississippi. Every year, millions of tons of cargo like grain, coal and petroleum products are shipped down the Mississippi, Ohio, Arkansas and Red Rivers. The rivers are also important sources of fish and other aquatic species.
The Missouri and Mississippi Rivers are among the nation’s busiest navigable rivers, with their combined annual trade volume exceeding 300 million tons. Barges on the rivers, often with tow lengths of over 1,200 feet, travel at eight to ten miles per hour, delivering commodities to alluvial markets throughout the Midwest.
The Ohio River is an important route for exporting petroleum and coal, as well as cargo from other countries. In 2018, over 160 million tons of cargo and over 35 million tons of petroleum and coal were shipped along the Ohio route. The Arkansas River and Red River have also become increasingly important sources of commerce. The Arkansas River is used for transporting crude oil, petroleum products and wood products, while the Red River is a key source for shipments of gas and fertilizer.
Agriculture
The Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Arkansas and Red Rivers all provide water to many agricultural areas throughout their respective states. The rivers are used to irrigate vast tracts of farmland, as well as providing drinking water to many communities and providing a consistent water supply for a wide range of commercial and recreational activities.
The Mississippi River and its tributaries provide essential water supplies to many of the United States’ breadbasket states. These tributaries are especially important because they supply water to the Midwest and Southern states, which are home to some of the most productive agricultural land in the country.
The Missouri River, for example, is a major source of irrigation for western and central Missouri. It also helps provide a steady source of water for navigation, helping to make the Missouri a major shipping center for grain, coal, and other agricultural commodities.
The Ohio River is a major water source for southwestern Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and the states along the Ohio River Basin. Located above the Ohio River, the three basins that make up the Ohio River drainage system provide essential water to the states of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and parts of New York, Maryland, and Virginia.
The Arkansas and Red Rivers also supply water to key U.S. agricultural regions. The Arkansas River, for example, supplies water to Oklahoma and parts of Colorado, New Mexico and Kansas. The Red River is the major water supply to the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.
Recreation
The Mississippi River and its tributaries are popular sites for recreation, offering many opportunities for swimming, kayaking, fishing, boating and other water-related activities. The Missouri River is a popular destination for recreational activities, with many people taking advantage of its clean, calm waters for leisurely activities.
The Arkansas River is also a great place for recreational activities, such as whitewater rafting, kayaking, and tubing. The Red River is popular for canoeing and fishing and is a great spot for birdwatching, with over 300 species of birds having been spotted in its waters.
The Ohio River has become increasingly popular for recreation in recent years, as many cities along its banks have developed public beaches, boat access points, and fishing piers. The Ohio River also provides a great opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to explore a wide range of habitats and scenic views.
The Mississippi River and its tributaries are an important source of transportation, trade, and economic activity, as well as recreation and leisure in the United States. The Missouri, Ohio, Arkansas and Red Rivers are the major tributaries of the Mississippi, supplying water to key agricultural regions and providing a wealth of recreation opportunities.
Conservation
The four major tributaries of the Mississippi River are also important for conservation, due to their various wildlife habitats and riverside ecosystems. All of the rivers are home to a wide range of plant and animal species, many of which are endangered, threatened, or vulnerable.
The Missouri River is home to over 90 species of fish, including the endangered pallid sturgeon. The river is also home to many bird species, such as bald eagles and great blue herons, as well as many mammals, including river otters, mink and deer.
The Arkansas River is home to over 120 species of fish, including the endangered Arkansas River Shiner fishes. The river is also home to several waterfowl and shorebird species, as well as a variety of mammals and reptiles.
The Ohio River is home to over 130 species of fish, including paddlefish, smallmouth bass and carp, as well as many endangered species. The river also provides important habitat for birds, mammals, and other wildlife species.
The Red River is home to a number of fish and wildlife species, including the endangered alligator snapping turtle, the threatened Okaloosa darter, and the vulnerable gulf sturgeon. The river is also home to dozens of species of freshwater mussels, waterfowl, and wading birds.
Conserving and protecting the Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Red Rivers is crucial to ensure that they can continue to support a healthy environment, as well as providing vital resources to the states they flow through.
Development
The four major tributaries of the Mississippi River have long been a source of development and investment for the states they flow through. The rivers have been an important source of transportation and are used for shipping, trade and economic activity.
The Missouri River has been used extensively by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for navigation, hydropower and flood control. In recent years, the river has been used more for recreation and tourism, with the development of campgrounds, beaches and other recreational facilities along its banks.
The Ohio River has often been referred to as the “Industrial Heart of the Nation” due to its role in the development of the Midwest’s economy. A wide range of industries have developed along its banks, including steel mills, factories, mines, and refineries.
The Arkansas River is the site of several large hydroelectric dams, the most famous of which is the Hoover Dam in Las Vegas. The river has also been used for navigation and is an important source of drinking water for cities along its course.
The Red River is one of the few rivers in the United States that offers two navigable pathways—the Red River proper and the Atchafalaya River. The river is used for navigation and energy production, and is also home to a number of dams that help control flooding.
The Mississippi and its tributaries have been used for centuries for transportation and development and continue to play important roles in the economic and social development of the states they flow through.
