{"id":12402,"date":"2023-11-13T15:35:27","date_gmt":"2023-11-13T14:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=12402"},"modified":"2023-11-13T15:35:27","modified_gmt":"2023-11-13T14:35:27","slug":"whats-the-lowest-the-mississippi-river-has-ever-been","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/whats-the-lowest-the-mississippi-river-has-ever-been\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s The Lowest The Mississippi River Has Ever Been"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Mississippi River is one of the most important rivers in the United States and is a vital part of the nation’s economic and environmental health. It has supported the livelihoods of millions of Americans since its very beginning and its recent decline in water levels have been a subject of great concern. In this article, we will examine the history of the Mississippi River and delve into the depths of what the river’s lowest recorded level in history is.<\/p>\n

The Mississippi River is the fourth longest and 10th largest river in the world, stretching 2,300 miles from Minnesota through Louisiana to the Gulf of Mexico. It is the major river system of the United States and carries over five hundred million tons of cargo each year. The Mississippi provides critical habitat and recreational opportunities for wildlife, outdoor recreation, and economic development for much of the nation. The river also supports the largest bird migration in North America.<\/p>\n

Despite its importance in our lives, the river has been receding in recent years due to drought, overdevelopment, and a lack of focus on conservation. In many areas, the river’s flow has been reduced to a fraction of what it was previously. This has not only had an effect on the local environment and wildlife, but has also impacted the amount of money that businesses and economic activity receive from the river’s resources.<\/p>\n

In terms of its historical lows, the Mississippi experienced its lowest recorded level since 1913 in 2020. This was due to the additional burden on the river caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has drastically reduced the amount of traffic on the river as well as commerce. The low point was recorded at between 0.88 and 1.03 feet in the Baton Rouge area, far lower than the historical average.<\/p>\n