{"id":11706,"date":"2023-10-15T19:05:10","date_gmt":"2023-10-15T18:05:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=11706"},"modified":"2023-10-15T19:05:10","modified_gmt":"2023-10-15T18:05:10","slug":"what-aeperates-the-mississippi-river-from-the-gulf-of-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/what-aeperates-the-mississippi-river-from-the-gulf-of-mexico\/","title":{"rendered":"What Aeperates The Mississippi River From The Gulf Of Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Geography<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi River is a large river that is named after the Ojibwe (Chippewa) Native American tribe Nahushoma or ‘Great Waters’. It originates in Lake Itasca in Minnesota and flows south and southeast until it reaches the Gulf of Mexico near New Orleans. The mouth of the river is approximately 250 miles long and averages over 200 miles in width. The Gulf of Mexico is a large body of water in the southern United States that is bordered by five of the United States: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. It is connected to the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. <\/p>\n

Environmental Impact<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi River plays an essential role in the global environment. It is the largest drainage basin in North America and plays a major role in the United States water cycle. It contributes nearly 50% of all freshwater entering the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River is the main feeding source to the Gulf’s aquatic ecosystem which includes over 75 species of fish, aquatic plants and invertebrates. Furthermore, the Mississippi River has a major impact on the global climate by providing freshwater into the global ocean circulation and increasing rainfall across the Gulf of Mexico region. <\/p>\n

River Structure<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi River is divided into two main parts: the Upper Mississippi and the Lower Mississippi. The Upper Mississippi begins in Lake Itasca in Minnesota, draining into Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, before joining with the Missouri River to create the Lower Mississippi River which then heads south. The Lower Mississippi is marked by the large bend near the mouth at Cairo, Illinois, and continues to the Gulf of Mexico through Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. Along the Lower, Mississippi are the many levees and dams that help to control floods and navigation of large boats. <\/p>\n

Geological Features<\/h2>\n

The course of the Mississippi River is unique and complex due to the varied landforms and geological features along its banks. Along the river are grassy wetlands, bayous, swamps, riverside sandbars and even underground caves. Along the Lower Mississippi, the sedimentary soils and levees create a diverse landscape of cliffs, bluffs and limestone hills. These features are not only beautiful but also help the river flow evenly, reducing the risk of flooding. <\/p>\n

What Separates the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico?<\/h2>\n