The Mississippi

Old Man River snakes through America, linking together people from the river's headwaters in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to the Gulf of Mexico. Its lore and history—richly intertwined with the history of the nation—create an indelible mark on the American psyche.

News / Features

• New Legislation Enhances Illinois River Projects
• Water Monitoring Guides Restoration
• The Science of Restoration

Spotlight

Lessons From Natural Disasters What can disasters teach us about how to protect our lands, waters and families for the future?

Explore The Mississippi

The Mississippi River is often considered in two halfs.

• The Upper Mississippi (from the rivers headwaters to its confluence with the Ohio river) is characterized by its many dams and levees.
• The Lower Mississippi (from southern Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico) is characterized by its winding path through floodplain forests.

The Conservancy works at sites in every state along the river, from headwaters to Gulf.

Pictured above: The Mississippi River is a critical arterial transportation route for American agriculture and industry.

Fast Facts

Basin Area: 3,202,230 sq.km.

Population Density: 21 people per sq.km. (average)

Cities (>100,000 People): 87

Printable map (PDF) of the river systems where the Great Rivers Partnership is working, including the Mississippi.