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18 Fascinating Facts About the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River, often called the “Mighty Mississippi,” is one of North America’s most significant waterways. This majestic river has shaped the continent’s history, culture, and geography in countless ways. Here are 18 fascinating facts about this remarkable river system.
1. Length and Size
The Mississippi River stretches 2,340 miles from its source at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to its delta in Louisiana, making it the second-longest river in North America after the Missouri River.
2. Massive Watershed
The Mississippi River watershed covers approximately 41% of the continental United States, draining water from 31 states and two Canadian provinces, encompassing over 1.2 million square miles.
3. Ancient History
The river’s name comes from the Ojibwe word “Misi-ziibi,” meaning “Great River.” Native Americans have lived along its banks for over 12,000 years.
4. Changing Course
The river’s main channel has naturally shifted numerous times throughout history. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers now maintains its current course to prevent it from shifting to the Atchafalaya River basin.
5. Economic Impact
The Mississippi River system generates more than $400 billion in annual economic activity and supports approximately 1.3 million jobs across its length.
6. Wildlife Diversity
The river is home to at least 260 species of fish, 40% of North America’s migratory waterfowl, and more than 50 species of mammals, making it one of the most biologically diverse river systems in the world.
7. The Great Flood of 1927
The most destructive river flood in U.S. history occurred along the Mississippi in 1927, inundating 27,000 square miles and displacing over 700,000 people.
8. River Cities
Major cities including Minneapolis, St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans were established along the Mississippi, owing their growth and prosperity to the river’s transportation capabilities.
9. Deepest Point
The deepest point of the Mississippi River is 200 feet, found near Algiers Point in New Orleans.
10. Water Flow
The river discharges an average of 593,000 cubic feet of water per second into the Gulf of Mexico, making it the fifth-largest river by discharge volume in the world.
11. The Delta
The Mississippi River Delta covers approximately 4 million acres and loses about 25 square miles of land each year due to erosion and subsidence.
12. Navigation System
The river features 29 locks and dams on its upper portion, enabling commercial navigation and controlling water flow throughout the system.
13. Cultural Significance
The Mississippi has inspired countless works of literature, music, and art, most famously Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “Life on the Mississippi.”
14. Commercial Traffic
More than 500 million tons of cargo travel on the Mississippi annually, including 60% of U.S. grain exports and 20% of America’s coal.
15. Water Quality
The river serves as a drinking water source for more than 18 million people across multiple states, while also facing ongoing challenges with pollution and agricultural runoff.
16. Prehistoric Features
The river flows through areas rich in fossils, including regions where dinosaur fossils have been discovered along its ancient banks and tributaries.
17. Record-Breaking Bridges
The river is crossed by 120 bridges, with the Hernando de Soto Bridge in Memphis being one of the most photographed. The first bridge to span the Mississippi was built in 1855 in Minneapolis.
18. Dead Zone
At the river’s mouth in the Gulf of Mexico, there’s a “dead zone” covering up to 8,776 square miles where oxygen levels are too low to support marine life, caused primarily by agricultural runoff.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River continues to be one of North America’s most important natural features, influencing everything from commerce and transportation to wildlife and culture. These 18 facts demonstrate the river’s tremendous impact on the continent’s past, present, and future. Understanding its significance helps us appreciate the need to preserve and protect this vital waterway for future generations.