The Mississippi River Drainage Basin, covering 3.1 million square kilometers, is the largest drainage basin in the United States, draining the majority of the area between the crest of the Rocky Mountains and the crest of the Appalachian Mountains. The Amazon River, the largest by discharge volume, drains a rainforest. The Mississippi River System, also known as the Western Rivers, is a mostly riverine network of the United States, including the Mississippi River and connecting waterways. The Mississippi River drains about 41 of the country’s rivers, with areas west of the Rocky Mountains and east of the Appalachian Mountains being outside the Mississippi River drainage basin. The Mississippi River has the third largest drainage basin in the world, only being larger than the watersheds of the Amazon and Congo Rivers. The Amazon drains a rainforest, while the Mississippi drains much of the area between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. The Mississippi River System is one of the largest drainage basins in the United States, with a large number of tributaries and distributaries. The Mississippi River defines the western and southern boundaries of the Central and Southern Water District (CRWD) and is the destination for all of the District’s water resources. The purpose of the spillway is to allow the excess waters of the Mississippi River to drain into an extended area of land, not a specific waterway.
📹 Why is the Mississippi River so dangerous?
Meteorologist Alexandra Cranford explains why the Mississippi River is so dangerous.
What is the natural flow of the Mississippi river?
The Mississippi River, the longest river in North America, drains an area of approximately 1. 2 million square miles, or one-eighth of the continent. It originates in Lake Itasca in Minnesota and flows across the continental interior, collecting the waters of its major tributaries, the Missouri River and the Ohio River, halfway along its journey to the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi drains all or part of 31 U. S. states and two provinces in Canada.
Although it can be ranked as the fourth longest river in the world by adding the length of the Missouri-Judson system, the 2, 340-mile length of the Mississippi proper is comfortably exceeded by 19 other rivers. The Mississippi’s volume of discharge is the largest in North America and the eighth greatest in the world. As the central river artery of a highly industrialized nation, the Mississippi has become one of the busiest commercial waterways in the world.
Its unique contribution to the history and literature of the United States has woven it like a bright thread through the folklore and national consciousness of North America, linking the names of two U. S. presidents— Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant—with that of the celebrated author Mark Twain.
Where does the Mississippi River eventually drain?
The Mississippi River, the second longest river in North America, flows 2, 350 miles from its source at Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. It is considered the third longest river system in the world if the length of Missouri and Ohio Rivers are added to the Mississippi’s main stem. The Mississippi-Missouri River combination ranks fourth in length, following the Nile, Amazon, and Yangtze Rivers. The reported length at a river delta may increase or decrease due to deposition and erosion.
Different lengths may be reported depending on the year or measurement method. The main stem of the Mississippi River is estimated to be 2, 552 miles long, with various sources indicating different lengths. The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area suggests the river’s length is 2, 350 miles.
Where does the Mississippi River empty out?
The Mississippi River, a major river in the United States, flows into the Gulf of Mexico about 100 miles downstream from New Orleans. The length of the river from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico is 2, 340 miles, with a retention time of 90 days. The river’s speed varies along its course, with an average of 26 miles per day or 1 mile per hour. The stream gradient is 0. 01, a drop of 450 meters over 3, 766 km.
The river discharges at an annual average rate of 200 to 700 thousand cubic feet per second, making it the fourteenth largest river in the world by volume. Its average flow is similar to the Amazon River, which moves nearly 7 million cubic feet per second during wet seasons.
What percentage of the US does the Mississippi River drain?
The Mississippi River is the third largest drainage basin in the world, draining 41% of the 48 contiguous states of the United States. Covering over 1, 245, 000 square miles, it includes 31 states and two Canadian provinces. The lower alluvial valley, a flat plain of about 35, 000 square miles, borders the river and would be overflowed during high water periods without man-made protective works. The valley, which includes parts of seven states, is roughly 600 miles long and varies in width from 25 to 125 miles. Floods of 1849 and 1850 in the Mississippi River Valley highlighted the national interest in controlling the river.
Does the Mississippi River overflow?
The Mississippi River and its tributaries have experienced a multitude of floods, including a significant event on March 18. Hernando de Soto’s expedition party encountered a village at the confluence of the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers, which was inundated and only accessible via canoe. The flooding persisted for 40 days, resulting in extensive damage to the surrounding fields.
What drainage pattern is the Mississippi River?
The Mississippi River drainage basin exhibits a dendritic pattern, whereby the erosion of igneous or sedimentary rock beneath streams occurs in a uniform and readily accessible manner, without the influence of foliations.
How deep is the Mississippi River at its deepest point?
The Mississippi River, with a maximum depth of 200 feet, is located near Algiers Point in New Orleans. Tennessee is known for its famous whisky distilleries, while Kentucky is known for its bourbon distillation art. The Great River Road, a popular tourist destination, offers a variety of dining options and stunning fall foliage. The Relay of Voices project will take place in the summer and fall.
Can you swim in the Mississippi River?
The Mississippi River in the Great Lakes Inventory and Monitoring Network is facing water quality issues, including mercury, bacteria, sediment, PCBs, and nutrients. These issues make the water unsuitable for fishing, swimming, and drinking. The parks also serve as a place to track wildlife and plant populations, landscape changes, and pollution effects on the environment. The Great Lakes Network scientists use the parks for science and the parks’ science is used to help them.
The health of the Mississippi River, safety in swimming, water pollution improvement, fish consumption, invasive carp, bacteria concerns, and bald eagles’ behavior are all being monitored and addressed.
Does the Mississippi river overflow?
The Mississippi River and its tributaries have experienced a multitude of floods, including a significant event on March 18. Hernando de Soto’s expedition party encountered a village at the confluence of the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers, which was inundated and only accessible via canoe. The flooding persisted for 40 days, resulting in extensive damage to the surrounding fields.
Does the Mississippi River flood?
The Mississippi River experienced its longest known flood of record at Baton Rouge for 67 days, the sixth longest since 1927. Red River Landing was above flood stage for 74 days, the seventh longest since 1927. The flood was triggered by a landfalling hurricane’s surge, causing severe flooding of the river. Acadian settlers in Baton Rouge, Fort Bute, Manchac, and Baton Rouge received aid from the flooding, marking the beginning of the floods on the lower Mississippi River.
Does the Mississippi River have a watershed?
The Mississippi River, the largest drainage basin in the United States and the second-longest in North America, is the 15th largest river in the world by discharge volume. A schematic map of the Mississippi River and its principal tributaries illustrates the river’s extent and major ports, as defined by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
📹 Inside a Mississippi River Lock and Dam drained for maintenance
The Lock and Dam in Hastings has been drained for some routine maintenance that only happens once every 15 years.
My cousin had fell into the Mississippi River a couple of weeks ago while working on the tug boat and thank you Lord for his life jacket and radio because he made it to the bank around Lake Providence, LA and was only treated for hypothermia. Alot of lives are claimed from that River and I praise God his wasn’t one of them.
Went fishing in it one time here in Tennessee an entire tree came up out of the water like it had been planted but was a full size tree then got sucked back under,our boat got caught in a whirlpool spinning us around lost a few family members to that river it’s something you better respect because when it’s got you that’s it.
I know when I was around a river like that my dad said do not fight the current the undercurrent will suck you under flow with the current and kind of go to the side and get to the bank as quick as possible. I have heard of under-watered welders going in the Mississippi River one time and telling their boss I quit give me my paycheck I’m not going down there again. Catfish that are so big could almost swallow a human whole. Don’t know if it’s true but too many men I’ve come back up from under the water and said I’m not going down there you cannot pay me enough to go back down there.
There are bad days but I grew up swimming in the Mississippi, and I’ve also lost a friend’s child, she was out in the water and had one done hand and the son had the other son’s hand and an undertow came through and took the younger brother, he was about 5-6 years old, they found him, the next day, a few miles away. His brother has always blamed himself, because he couldn’t hold on, and he was only 10 or so at the time.
I can’t believe it’s gotten to the point where people have to be told not to get in the river. I remember as a kid, being told stories about people drowning or getting sucked under a boat. We were terrified to go near the railing of the ferry, let alone the riverbank. Y’all, stay out of the river. And there are gators in there. And gar fish and the spare bull shark in Lake Pontchartrain. Does anyone else remember having to watch the Wildlife and Fisheries safety movie (over and over again) about water safety and how to survive in the swamp if you go overboard, or the vehicle you are in goes over the railing into a swamp area? Maybe we should bring that article back.
I don’t live anywhere near the Mississippi River, and before today I had no reason to fear the river, but man this made me scared of the river. Not too different from the ocean, just immense physics that you cannot fight. I always try to remember to be respectful of the ocean when I’m there, but need to remember that applies to rivers too. Especially huge ones like the MS.Would be cool to take a boat ride on the river though (just no falling in lol)
Every river that meanders is dangerous. the Mississippi is most dangerous because of its size. Don’t be fooled. Rivers like the South Saskatchewan, where I live, claim people every year. lakes and pools are for swimming. Rivers are okay for canoes and kayaks. But, even experts have the required safety equipment.
The Mississippi is nothing but a big lake in Wabasha, MN for several to enjoy. I grew up on the Missouri river. There’s always a danger in any body of water but I don’t see the river any more risky if you know or plan for it. Of my countless hours on the river I’ve floated through the so call “whirlpools” without ever experiencing and “undertow”. I was always taught if it does happen don’t panic and you will float right back up after about 30 seconds. Best place to Salomon ski is on the river. And for those who think the bacteria is gonna get you… Well, I’m living proof after 50+ years it’s not. Enjoy the river don’t be scared of it!