The Mississippi River has long been renowned as one of the main arteries of America’s heartland. From its source in Minnesota to its expanse through ten states, it is the second-longest river in the United States and is home to many iconic cities, towns, and swamps. But, which U.S. states are not connected by the Mississippi River?
Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana are the states that are bordered by the Mississippi River. This leaves out 11 central states that do not connect to the river. Those states include North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Alabama.
Each of these states has its own unique connection to the Mississippi River. Most notably, some of them, such as Minnesota and Wisconsin, were involved in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. That agreement brought the entire central United States under the American flag. Essentially, without the presence of the Mississippi, those states may never have become part of the United States.
Of course, not every state’s relationship with the Mississippi is as tight as those involved in the Louisiana Purchase. For example, Nebraska does not border the river, but is still home to many different tributaries, watersheds, and bioregions that are connected to and affected by the Mississippi. While it can be said that it was the river that helped to define and shape the central Plains States of Nebraska and the Dakotas, it can also be said that those states, in turn, had a remarkable effect on the river’s own history and development. Though they are not technically on the river’s namesake, these states have had some of the most profound environmental and cultural impacts on the Mississippi River.
Karla Guadalupe, an environmental researcher with the National Audubon Society, believes that even though these states may not be connected by the Mississippi, the river has still had a historic and ongoing impact on them all. “Just because the Mississippi does not physically touch a state does not mean that it has not shaped its identity and culture,” Guadalupe says. “The river has played a major role in the lives of Americans from the Midwest, and these states are no exception.”
This is an especially true statement when it comes to the economic impact of the Mississippi River. From its source in northern Minnesota to its terminus in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, the river has given rise to some of the busiest ports and trade routes in the country. Even though North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Alabama do not border the river, they have all benefitted from its presence and influence in many different ways.
However, the impact of the Mississippi is no longer just economic. These days, it is much more than that. With the increasing importance of environmental policies, the health and safety of the river has become a growing concern. The states not connected to the Mississippi are still affected by the river in this regard, as they, too, rely on the river for freshwater sources and other natural resources.
North Dakota
North Dakota, in particular, has an intricate relationship with the Mississippi River. Sharing two vital rivers, the Missouri and the Red, with the river, the state has been able to foster a strong economy. The state is home to many popular industries, including mining, agriculture, and energy resources. Farming is the major source of income for the state, and it relies heavily on the Missouri and Red Rivers for irrigation to make sure that the soil in the area is able to meet the demands of the farm industry.
But, North Dakota is also home to an equally important environmental culture. The state is one of the few areas in the Midwest that has maintained its natural resources, like wetlands and forests. As a result, it is an important refuge for many native species, such as the endangered small-footed bat. It is also an important area for migratory birds, especially geese.Though the state is not technically connected to the Mississippi, its environment is no doubt affected by the river’s health.
South Dakota
South Dakota also has a long history of working with and around the Mississippi River. Its two chief rivers, the Missouri and the Big Sioux, are a major economic resource for the state, providing the population with drinking water, irrigation, and transportation.The state is home to some of the most fertile soil in the entire country, giving rise to some of the most profitable farms and ranches.
South Dakota is also home to some of the most unique wildlife in the region. The Missouri River is home to the endangered pallid sturgeon, an iconic species of the central Plains states. It is also an important habitat for a variety of migrating birds, as well as native species like the western meadowlark. With such a diverse and vibrant ecosystem, the well-being of the Mississippi River is essential for the health and well-being of South Dakota’s ecology.
Nebraska
Like the other central states in the region, Nebraska has a long history of connection to the Mississippi. The state is home to many tributaries and watersheds that feed into the Mississippi, making its health and quality essential to the state. It is also home to three major rivers: the Platte, the Niobrara, and the North Loup.
In addition to being a crucial environmental resource, the Mississippi River has also been an important part of Nebraska’s culture. It has shaped the state’s identity and its shared memory of the West. The river is no doubt the driving force behind many aspects of the region’s history, such as its wide range of indigenous cultures and its complex network of trade routes and transportation systems. Despite its distance from the Mississippi, the state’s relationship to the river is one of respect, awe, and admiration.
Kansas
Kansas is another central state without a direct connection to the Mississippi River, but one with a long and interwoven connection to it. The Missouri River, which runs through the state, is one of the major tributaries to the Mississippi. The Kansas and Arkansas Rivers also feed into the Missouri, bringing with them sediment and other materials from the surrounding lands.
Because of its indirect connection to the river, Kansas is an important source of fresh water for much of the Midwest. It is also home to many national parks and other open spaces, making it an important refuge for wildlife. These cherished regions rely on the health and integrity of the river, which is why the state has taken such a proactive stance when it comes to protecting its own environment and helping to revitalize the Mississippi.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin borders two of the major tributaries to the Mississippi River, the Wisconsin and the Minnesota Rivers. While it does not directly border the river, the state has been deeply tied to it since its settlement in the 1800s. The Mississippi was a major transportation route for the settlers, connecting them to the West and making trade possible.
Today, Wisconsin is an important part of the Mississippi watershed. Its rivers and streams feed into the river and help to keep it healthy. The state is also home to many iconic habitat areas,Such as the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River region, which is an important waterway for many migrating species. All of these ecosystems are dependent on the health and resilience of the Mississippi, making Wisconsin an important part of the river’s story.
Minnesota
Minnesota is another state without a direct connection to the Mississippi River, but the river has a long history in this region. It has been a major driving force behind the state’s development since its early settlement. It was essential to the fur trade and the expansion of the United States. It also provided a vital source of fresh water for the region.
Today, Minnesota is still an important part of the Mississippi watershed. The Minnesota and Wisconsin Rivers both flow into the Mississippi, and the state’s wetlands, lakes, and forests all benefit from the river’s health. Minnesota is also home to many unique habitats and species, including the threatened timber wolf and the endangered piping plover. All of these creatures rely on the well-being of the Mississippi to survive.
Michigan
Michigan has a much more tenuous connection to the Mississippi than many of the other central states. Its rivers are not part of the same watershed, and the Mississippi itself does not touch the state. However, Michigan is still profoundly affected by the river. The lake region of the Midwest is home to many of the same bird species as the Mississippi region, and many of the species that nest and forage along the river’s banks also move north to Michigan during the winter months.
Because of this, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has taken a proactive stance in protecting the river and its biodiversity. It supports numerous initiatives, such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, to help protect the overall health of the Mississippi. The state is also an important part of the region’s environmental culture, which embraces the river as a natural wonder.
Indiana
Indiana, like Michigan, does not have a direct connection to the Mississippi River. It does, however, have a long and complex relationship to the river. During the height of the Industrial Revolution, the state was home to many of the factories and processing centers that used the river’s resources. Today, the state is still an industrial powerhouse, but it also has a flourishing agricultural sector. Both of these industries rely heavily on the Mississippi’s fresh water.
Indiana is also home to some of the most important wetlands and forests in the Midwest. From the Hoosier National Forest to the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, Indiana’s natural spaces are dependent on the river’s health. The state is also home to a rich cultural history, with everything from Mark Twain’s famous short story, “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” to the legacy of its many famous musicians, writers, and poets heavily steeped in the river’s tradition. Indiana may not border the Mississippi, but it is certainly a part of it.
Ohio
Ohio is another state that does not have a direct connection with the Mississippi River. However, it is an important part of the river’s history and its ecology. The Ohio River, one of the largest rivers in the United States, feeds into the Mississippi and has played a major role in the development of the region. It has served as a major transportation route for trade and settlers, provided fresh water for industry and agriculture, and supplies much of the sediment for the river’s banks.
Today, the Ohio River is an equally important part of the state’s identity. It is a recreational destination for many in the Midwest, with its many lakes and parks. It is also home to many iconic species, such as the American white pelican and the endangered piping plover. All of these creatures rely on the health of the Mississippi River to survive, making Ohio an important part of the river’s story.
West Virginia
West Virginia, like the other central states, does not border the Mississippi directly. However, the state is still heavily connected to the river. It is home to the Monongahela Watershed, which is connected to the Mississippi through the Ohio River. West Virginia is also home to many of the same migratory bird species as the Mississippi River Valley, meaning that the health of the river is essential to the wellbeing of its wildlife.
West Virginia has also been an important part of the Midwest’s industrial history. With many factories, military sites, and transportation hubs located within the state, West Virginia has been an integral part of the region’s economic and industrial development. Even though the state is not connected to the Mississippi, it is still very much connected to its history, culture, and ecosystem.
Alabama
Alabama is the last of the central states that are not on the Mississippi River. However, it is still an important part of the river’s history and its ecosystem. The Coosa River, one of the great tributaries of the Mississippi, flows through the state, bringing with it many of the same species that are found in the Mississippi River. In addition, the watershed of the lower Tennessee River is
