{"id":12188,"date":"2023-12-05T13:35:12","date_gmt":"2023-12-05T12:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=12188"},"modified":"2023-12-05T13:35:12","modified_gmt":"2023-12-05T12:35:12","slug":"where-does-the-arkansas-river-join-the-mississippi-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/where-does-the-arkansas-river-join-the-mississippi-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Does The Arkansas River Join The Mississippi River"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Location of the Arkansas River and the Mississippi River<\/h2>\n

The Arkansas River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 1,460 miles (2,350 km) long, that flows through the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.The Arkansas River originates in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and flows southeast across the Great Plains of eastern Colorado and western Kansas, then Arkansas. The Mississippi River flows from the head of the Missouri River in southwestern Missouri to the Gulf of Mexico in southeastern Louisiana. The two rivers merge at the Arkansas-Mississippi border in the southeastern portion of Arkansas.<\/p>\n

History of the Arkansas River<\/h2>\n

The Arkansas River was originally explored and discovered by French Canadian fur traders in the mid-1700s. The exploration of the Arkansas River was largely due to the fur trading expeditions of Pierre and Paul Mallet and their exploration of the Red River and its tributary, the Arkansas River. In the early 1800s, the area around the Arkansas-Mississippi border was explored by the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the area was documented as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.<\/p>\n

Effects of the River Merger<\/h2>\n

The merging of the Arkansas River and the Mississippi River has had major effects on the local area. The Arkansas River supplies water for many major cities, including Little Rock and Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee. By merging with the Mississippi River, this water supply is increased and can be used to provide irrigation for agricultural fields and to generate electricity through hydropower. The Arkansas-Mississippi border is also home to a variety of plant and animal species, and the merger of the two rivers increases the habitat and food supply for these species, allowing them to thrive.<\/p>\n

Recent Projects and Developments<\/h2>\n

The Arkansas-Mississippi border has seen an increase in development and investment in recent years, particularly in the areas of economic development. The Army Corps of Engineers have constructed locks and dams on the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers to facilitate shipping and commerce. In addition, the merging of the two rivers offers new opportunities for recreational boating, fishing, and other water sports.<\/p>\n

Recent Concerns and Challenges<\/h2>\n