The Mississippi River: A National Resource

The Mississippi River with its tributaries is the third largest river of the world. The river drains about 40% of the continental Unites States. The main stem of the river is about 3,500 km long travelling from Minnesota in the north to the Gulf of Mexico in the south. During this travel the river crosses also through 10 states. The present day river was formed during the last glacial melt, consequently the present day size and shape is too large for the flow and the sediment load. Thus the river valley has been filling up with sediments. For identification and management purposes the river has been divided into two segments, Upper Mississippi River and the Lower Mississippi river. The Upper Mississippi River extends from its headwater to its confluence with the Ohio River near Cairo, Illinois. Upper Mississippi River does not include Missouri River for management purposes even though the Missouri river do come and join the main stem of the river upstream of St. Louis. The river is also the main inland transportation artery of the United States. Over the year the river and its watershed has altered significantly. Currently, the Mississippi River States, the Federal Government and many no-governmental entities are working together to enhance the ecosystem of this great river.