{"id":11657,"date":"2024-01-10T19:05:55","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T18:05:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=11657"},"modified":"2024-01-10T19:05:55","modified_gmt":"2024-01-10T18:05:55","slug":"what-are-the-three-tributaries-of-the-mississippi-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/what-are-the-three-tributaries-of-the-mississippi-river\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are The Three Tributaries Of The Mississippi River"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Introduction<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi River is one of the longest rivers in the United States, stretching from its source at Lake Itasca in Minnesota to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. It is an important source of transportation and water supply.Tributaries, or smaller rivers and steams, play a major role in the flow of the Mississippi. In this article, we’ll look at three of the most important Mississippi River tributaries: the Red River, the Arkansas River, and the Missouri River. <\/p>\n

Red River<\/h2>\n

The Red River is the longest tributary of the Mississippi River and flows through the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. It is the second-largest tributary of the Mississippi and has been historically important for transportation and agricultural purposes. The water of the Red River is used for irrigation and drinking water supply in the upper basins. The river is being increasingly threatened by pollution from agricultural activities and other sources. <\/p>\n

Arkansas River<\/h2>\n

The Arkansas River is the second-longest tributary of the Mississippi, flowing south from Colorado to its mouth in Arkansas. It is an important source of shipping and transportation, providing a link between the Rocky Mountain and Mississippi River regions. The Arkansas River is also a major source of shallow-water fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. The lower basin of the Arkansas River is threatened by pollutants from agricultural runoff, sedimentation, and mining.<\/p>\n

Missouri River<\/h2>\n

The Missouri River is the longest river in North America and third longest tributary of the Mississippi. It is located in the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri and provides important habitat to numerous species of native fish, birds, and mammals. The Missouri River also serves as an important source of drinking water, agricultural water supply, and transportation. The river has been historically important for its ability to be navigated but is now threatened by pollution, sedimentation, and invasive species.<\/p>\n

Human Impact<\/h2>\n