{"id":9689,"date":"2023-12-16T09:55:08","date_gmt":"2023-12-16T08:55:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=9689"},"modified":"2023-12-16T09:55:08","modified_gmt":"2023-12-16T08:55:08","slug":"how-far-away-is-the-mississippi-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/how-far-away-is-the-mississippi-river\/","title":{"rendered":"How Far Away Is The Mississippi River"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Background Information<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi river is a trans-boundary river that spans from its source in the Twin Cities of Minnesota to the estuary of the Gulf of Mexico. Running through six US states and two Canadian provinces, the Mississippi is the fourth longest river in the world and the second longest in the United States. The river runs for 2,320 miles and drains 31 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces along its way. Its drainage area encompasses portions of 32 states and 2 Canadian provinces.
\nThe width of the Mississippi river at the source is only a few feet wide, with the average depth around 40 feet. As the river flows through its many different settings, the channel can double in width and the water level can reach up to 200 feet in some places. The Mississippi river is a major source of drinking water and navigation for commercial, industrial and recreational purposes.<\/p>\n

Relevant Data<\/h2>\n

According to the United States Geological Survey, the Mississippi river begins in Lake Itasca in Minnesota at a headwaters of 45.7843°N 94.1219°W. From there, it flows southward crossing through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, and finally ending up in the Gulf of Mexico at 28.8037°N 89.4308°W. The total length of the river is 2,320 miles, including its tributaries, making it the fourth longest river in the world.
\nIn order to measure the distance from the source of the Mississippi river to the mouth in the Gulf of Mexico, it requires traveling 2,129 miles from Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. It is the same as traveling from New York City, NY to San Francisco, CA or from Los Angeles, CA to Montreal, Canada.<\/p>\n

Perspectives from Experts<\/h2>\n

Experts in the hydrology field view this river as an important resource and asset to the nation. Dr. John J. Himmelstein, a professor of civil engineering and environmental science at the University of California, Davis, noted, “The Mississippi river is the primary resource for a large portion of the population in the United States; its vast scale of the drainage basin and its wide range of floods and droughts serves to bring together Americans from different states.”
\nDr. Gregory J. Nowacki, a professor of hydrology at the University of Florida, Gainesville, added, “The Mississippi is also a key source of water for the entire Mississippi Delta, which is the nation’s leading provider of fresh water resources. The Delta also provides a critical habitat for several species of fish and wildlife.”<\/p>\n

Add Own Insights and Analysis<\/h2>\n

The Mississippi river not only plays a vital role in the nation’s water supply, but it also serves as an important transportation route for goods that are shipped from one place to another. In addition to being a major source of water for drinking, it also serves as a habitat for a variety of aquatic life. Furthermore, its yearly cycles of floods and droughts provide a unique range of opportunities and challenges for industries that rely on it.
\nThe total length of the Mississippi river stretches over 2,320 miles and its vast scale of the drainage basin can be seen downriver from the headwaters. It is estimated that the distance from the source to the mouth is 2,129 miles and traveling this distance can be compared to New York City to San Francisco or Los Angeles to Montreal. As such, the Mississippi river is a major source of water and a vital transportation route for the United States, while also providing a critical habitat for the nation’s aquatic species.<\/p>\n

Educate and Engage the Reader<\/h2>\n