The Mississippi River is one of the most recognizable natural landmarks of the United States. It is the second longest river in North America, stretching some 2,340 miles and is close to becoming the birthplace of our nation’s history. The Mississippi River has captivated people for centuries, sparking the imagination of Americans and inspiring people around the world. As such, understanding the source and beginning of the river is a essential to understanding the significance of the river. So, where does the Mississippi River begin?
The answer to this question can be traced back to a small lake in the Glacial Valley of northern Minnesota. The Mississippi River springs from Lake Itasca and then flows south over 2200 miles, eventually emptying out into the Gulf of Mexico. The section from Lake Itasca to the Gulf is commonly referred to as the Upper Mississippi River System. This Upper Mississippi includes several tributaries, such as the Missouri, Ohio, and Illinois rivers. These rivers combine to make up the greater Mississippi River.
Lake Itasca, the source of the Mississippi River, is located in Itasca State Park, one of Minnesota’s oldest state parks. It is just 1,475 feet long and has an average width of 50 feet. The lake is fed by fresh springs, and the entire lake has no visible inlet channel or outlet channel. Some portions of the lake may be 3.2 feet in depth or less, though most of the lake is at least 8 feet deep.
This iconic water source and the Lake is also important for region’s ecosystem and biodiversity. The Lake and it’s surrounding region provides a refuge for more than 130 species of birds which migrate through the area annually. It draws many fisherpeople to its peaceful waters, filled with panfish and occasional walleye and northern pike, and others to partake in activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and bird watching.
It is unknown exactly how old the Mississippi River is, though some estimates by geologists put the river’s age around 10,000 years old. This is due, in part, to the river’s wide meandering course over the years. The canyons of the Mississippi have dramatically changed throughout the years, slowly rebuilding and molding the landscape. The constant shifting is attributed to continental drift, the eye-shaped bends which slowly wind, shift, and eventually give way to fluvial processes.
The headwaters of the Mississippi River are the traditional homeland of the Dakota, or Sioux, people. These native peoples lived along the banks of the Mississippi in its region long before European settlers arrived. Their cultural relationship with the river was one of respect and spiritual reverence. To this day, the Dakota people pay tribute to the Mississippi River, honoring its importance to their culture.
The Mississippi River is a crucial artery of America and to many is so much more than just a body of water. It is a symbol of American strength and history. It sustains communities both economically and environmentally. The Mississippi River has left its mark on the American imagination and can never be forgotten.
Geography
Many people know the Mississippi River for its iconic curves as it travels throughout the United States, from its source in northern Minnesota to its delta at the Gulf of Mexico in southern Louisiana. Over its course, the river is joined by many tributaries, including the Missouri and the Ohio rivers, helping create an expansive watershed which encompasses all or part of 32 states.
The surrounding landscape is diverse. It passes through wooded mountains, desolate wetlands, hilly countryside and dense urban centres. This variety of geography creates different weather patterns for the river basin, affecting the river’s flow, temperature and water levels. Because of the wide range of terrain, the Mississippi River often undergoes dramatic fluctuations in flow, with flooding in some areas and draughts in others.
Moreover, the mighty Mississippi River carries not only a tremendous volume of water but also an abundance of sediment and nutrients, helping it to shape the landscape as it goes on its two thousand mile journey. The harvesting of soil and the transport of sediment through the Mississippi River is an ongoing process and a vital cog in the environmental dynamics at work in the river.
Economics
From an economic perspective, the impact of the Mississippi River is vast and far-reaching. In addition to the obvious economic benefits of its transport and irrigational networks, the Mississippi provides significant economic benefit to the energy, tourism, manufacturing and agricultural sectors. The ever-changing water levels and the amount of sediment and driftwood deposited by the river have also helped encourage the growth of a variety of species of aquatic life, boosting the recreational fishing industry.
Flooding along the Mississippi can be devastating for nearby communities, leading to the destruction of homes and businesses. However, the periodic flooding from the river also helps spread much-needed silt which can be used as fertilizer. This alluvial soil is beneficial for agriculturalists, supporting the local farming and fisheries with increased soil fertility.
As with any major waterway, the Mississippi River is also of great importance to transportation, accounting for the majority of barge and ship traffic in the US. It serves as essential route for goods as they transit between lake ports in the eastern US and the Gulf Coast ports in the south.
The connection of the river to the United States’ trade and travel network is just one of the many ways the Mississippi River continues to shape the economy of the entire nation.
Health & Pollution
The Mississippi River is home to a huge array of life, ranging from fish and reptiles to insects and birds. But managing the health of such a large system can be challenging. Pollution and runoff from land activities, such as agriculture, have caused an extensive decline in the quality and health of the river’s water. Nitrogen and phosphorous from fertilizers as well as persistent organic pollutants have all found their way into the Mississippi River.
Some of the most damaging pollutants are the sediment and heavy metals which have become trapped in the river’s sediments and have reached hazardous levels. Over the years, heavy metals from industrial processes have caused bioaccumilations of toxins, leading to a decline in the water’s quality. These toxins also create health risks for anyone who comes into contact with the river or ingests animals or plants that have lived within it.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a number of measures to track the pollution of the river and mitigate its impacts. This includes regular water sampling and monitoring, as well as the implementation of the Clean Water Act in 1972, which serves to reduce or eliminate pollutants entering the river.
The EPA also works with communities, individuals and businesses to help reduce the pollution entering the Mississippi River and to keep it clean and healthy for future generations.
History and Culture
The Mississippi River has served as an important part of many cultural traditions for centuries. Its influence has been felt across the continent, from the of Mississippi villagers who developed their own unique way of life, adapting to their river environment, to the peoples of the Great Plains who followed the river’s flowing waters, seeking sustenance and refuge.
This connection is also seen in literature, with the river often appearing in American novels where the characters search for individualism and such as Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, or in the naturalism works of William Faulkner, whose writing explored the lives of the people affected by the river’s turbulent waters.
The Mississippi River has also been featured in many songs over the years, depicting its hardships and joys, beauty and dangers. From Handel’s Concerto Grosso “The Mississippi” to Johnny Cash’s legendary song and the voyage of John Hiatt to New Orleans, popular music has long been a way of capturing the captivating culture and history of the one of America’s most famous rivers.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River is more than just a body of water, it is an intrinsic part of American culture, history and economy. Its importance to the United States cannot be understated and its origin in northern Minnesota lays the roots of what makes it so significant. From its source in Lake Itasca, the Mississippi has followed a journey of incredible beauty and interest, providing sustenance and refuge to its inhabitants and leaving a long lasting mark on the people and places it passes. As it continues to be a source of life, recreation, and culture for generations to come, the birthplace of the Mississippi River will forever remain an integral part of the United States.
