The Length of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is an expansive waterway that stretches an estimated 2,340 miles from its source at Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Counting from the headwaters, the Mississippi passes through 10 states to get to its southern terminus. Mississippi is the fourth longest river in the USA and the twelfth longest in the world.
The diverse environment through which the Mississippi passes vary in terms of terrain, vegetation, climate and urban population. Moving south from its source, the river passes through wooded plains in Minnesota, the magnificent bluffs and bayous of Arkansas, massive farmlands of the Midwest, and the bustling port city of New Orleans. The river’s winding course and rapid currents make it ideal for boat travel.
Flooding Risks From Mississippi River
Floods are a serious problem in many of the states that the river passes through. The Army Corps of Engineers completes regular forecasts to try to plan for flood scenarios based on current and anticipated weather and water levels. The last major flooding occurred in 1927-28 when most of the states the Mississippi flows through saw inundation from dangerously high waters. In order to protect downstream communities, the army corps created a system of levees and floodways to help contain the waters.
The river’s natural channel is wide and shallow, which hastens its floods and also causes erosion. In order to conserve agricultural soil and prevent further erosion, agricultural operations have switched to terraces, walls and dikes along the banks. These help to hold back the powerful currents and prevent soil erosion.
Mississippi River Pollution
The Mississippi River is one of the most polluted rivers in the United States, with heavily urbanized areas contributing to significant water pollution. Industries along the banks of the river discharge their waste directly into the river, polluting it with effluents like dyes, acids, metals, and hazardous chemicals. As a result, the river has become one of the most important sources of water pollution in the United States.
In addition to industrial pollution, the Mississippi is also greatly impacted by agricultural run-off from the enormous amounts of chemicals used in the production of crops. This includes pesticides, fertilizers, and even animal waste, which all make their way into the Mississippi. While there have been strides made in reducing some of these sources of pollution, the river still remains heavily impacted by human activities.
Recreation Along The Mississippi
The Mississippi River is host to a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities. Fishing, boating, camping and kayaking are all popular ways to take advantage of the river. The White River National Wildlife Refuge estuaries provide habitat to numerous migratory and native species of fish, birds and mammals. The Iowa Great Lakes region is also known for its wide selection of outdoor activities including fishing, boating, and camping.
In addition to its recreational benefits, the Mississippi is also vital to the transport of goods and materials. Barges regularly travel up and down the river, carrying products from the Great Lakes region to the Cotton Belt of the American South and providing access to port cities such as St Louis and New Orleans.
Geography Of The Mississippi River
The Mississippi River has a long, winding course that eventually empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The river’s headwaters, Lake Itasca, is in Michigan and Minnesota, and the river flows southward through the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi before emptying into the Gulf.
The landscape of most of the states the river passes through consists primarily of expansive river valleys with low, rolling hills. These wide, flat plains, combined with the fast-flowing waters of the Mississippi River, make the region a choice for agricultural use. Soil deposits from the river have helped to make the area a major agricultural producer in the United States.
Economic Impact of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi is an economically significant river, providing access to vast landlocked regions by way of its main branches. The main-stem of the Mississippi (from Itasca Lake to the Mississippi Delta) has been declared the busiest industrial waterway in the world. The massive system of locks and dams, levees, and channels make for easy transit on the mighty Mississipp
In addition to its importance to transportation, the river also provides regional economic benefits, especially in the form of recreation and tourism. The river provides a wide array of fishing, boating, camping, and other outdoor activities that attract many visitors each year. As a result, towns and cities along the river benefit from additional revenue generated by tourists and businesses that serve them.
Since prehistoric times, humans have used the river to navigate and explore. Native American tribes traveled the river in canoes, and trappers and traders used the river to travel throughout North America. Today, ships, barges and tugs use the river to transport cargo, people, and goods. In recent decades, the river has also become a popular destination for recreational boaters.
The current system of locks and dams, channels and levees along the Mississippi River system has allowed for ease of navigation. Along the river, a wide variety of structures and structures including lighthouses, buoys and bridges have been constructed to aid in navigation.
Environmental Impact of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is heavily utilized by humans as a resource, but this has come at a cost to the environment. The river is home to numerous endangered species, and the extensive agricultural operations cause large amounts of run-off pollution. On top of this, the river’s natural channel has been heavily altered over the years, with numerous dams, levees and channels constructed to aid navigation and flood control.
In addition to the environmental impact, commercial navigation on the river has also had an impact on the local economy and cultures. Communities that rely on the river for commerce and transportation have seen their way of life drastically changed, and many have been forced to relocate as a result of navigation on the river.
