Mississippi River Size report
The Mississippi River has the longest flow, the widest basin area, and the largest water volume in North America, located in central and southern North America. It can be ranked as the fourth-longest river in the world by adding the length of the Missouri-Jefferson (Red Rock) system downstream of the Missouri-Mississippi confluence.
The Mississippi River basin starts from Lake Itasca near the Great Lakes and reaches the Gulf of Mexico in the south, the Appalachian Mountains in the east, and the Rocky Mountains in the west. The Mississippi River basin is one of the three largest black soil regions globally.
Mississippi River brings together more than 250 tributaries. The tributaries on the west bank are more and longer than those on the east bank, forming a huge asymmetric dendritic water system. The water is abundant, and the annual average flow near the estuary reaches 18,800 cubic meters per second.
Mississippi River Descriptions
The Mississippi River is famous for its essential role in the industrialization of the United States. The river is a vital source of hydroelectric energy, provides drinking water for millions of people, and supports many ecologically and commercially important fish species. You can also read various descriptions of the Mississippi Valley in many American classics, including Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn. From its range of wildlife to its long and fascinating history, discover more facts about the Mississippi River in the following sections.
The Mississippi River lies entirely within the United States. Rising in Lake Itasca in Minnesota, it flows almost due south across the continental interior, collecting the waters of its major tributaries, the Missouri River (to the west) and the Ohio River (to the east). With its tributaries, the Mississippi drains all or part of 31 U.S. states and two provinces in Canada.
Length
The mainstream of the Mississippi River flows 2,340 mi (3,770 km) from its source at Lake Itasca through the center of the continental United States to the Gulf of Mexico. The Missouri River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, is about 100 miles (160.93 km) longer. Compared to other world rivers, the Mississippi-Missouri River combination ranks fourth in length with 3,710 miles (5,970 km).
Area
It has a drainage area of approximately 3.20 million km2 (1.2 million square miles), including its major tributaries, accounting for 41% of the continental area of the United States, covering the vast eastern and central areas. The Mississippi River watershed is the fourth largest in the world.
Volume
In the discharge volume, the Mississippi's rate of roughly 600,000 cubic feet (17,000 cubic meters) per second is the largest in North America and the eighth greatest in the world.
Final Words
The Mississippi River is one of the world's major river systems in size, habitat diversity, and biological productivity. It is also one of the world's most important commercial waterways and one of North America's great migration routes for both birds and fishes. Today, the Mississippi River powers a significant segment of the economy in the upper Midwest.
