Discover How Hot the Mississippi River’s Water Gets in the Summer

Summertime means adventure, exploring, and lots of swimming. If you’re looking to explore the Mississippi River and go swimming in it, you’re probably wondering how hot it gets during the summer. We’re going to cover just how hot the river gets, where the best spots are to swim, and some of the fun places to explore nearby.

The water temperature of the Mississippi River varies depending on which part of the river you’re in. During the summer months, average temperatures along the river can range from 82 degrees in Southern Louisiana to 70 degrees in Northern Minnesota.

Where Is the Mississippi River?

The Mississippi River is the longest river in North America. It flows south from Lake Itasca in Minnesota, collecting the waters of its tributaries — the Missouri and Ohio Rivers — until it reaches the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. In total, the river flows for 2,340 miles and covers (including its major tributaries) an area of 1.2 million square miles. The Mississippi and its tributaries drain water from 31 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. 

Although the Mississippi is the longest river on the continent, it’s the 20th longest river in the world. In terms of discharge volume, though, the Mississippi is the 8th greatest in the world. It has a rate of discharge of around 600,000 cubic feet per second. 

The Four Sections of the Mississippi

The river is generally divided into four sections. The headwaters run from Lake Itasca to St. Paul, Minnesota. In this area, the Mississippi is extremely clear, and it winds through lakes and marsh areas throughout the countryside. This stretch of the river is 493 miles from the source to Saint Anthony Falls. The Saint Anthony Falls Lock is the head of navigation on the river.

After the headwaters reach Saint Anthony Falls, the part of the river called the Upper Mississippi continues from there. It becomes a channel that flows between and connects a few man-made lakes between Minneapolis and St. Louis, Missouri. In total, this section of the river spans around 664 miles. It receives water from a few tributaries, including the Minnesota River, St. Croix River, and a few other smaller waterways. Once it reaches St. Louis, it converges with the Missouri River and continues flowing, marking the start of the third section of the river.

The third section is called the Middle Mississippi. It flows from the confluence with the Missouri until it reaches the mouth of the Ohio River. This section is turbulent, with mud and silt in the water that prevents it from being clear. It stretches for around 200 miles from Missouri to Illinois. 

The fourth and final part of the Mississippi is called the Lower Mississippi. This section stretches from the confluence with the Ohio River to the Gulf of Mexico. It’s the longest section, running for about 1,000 miles across multiple U.S. states until it reaches the ocean.

Can You Swim in the Mississippi River?

Anyone can swim in the Mississippi River, but there are certain parts that are safer and others that should be avoided. It really isn’t recommended for beginners or people with little experience to swim in the river. This is because of the strong currents which can drag even the most experienced swimmers down the river. Parts of the Mississippi are also in areas that receive a lot of runoff or pollution. Not to mention the fact that it’s one of the most commercially-used rivers in America.

Swimming in the river means torrential currents, lots of pollution, and one more major complication — mud. Aside from the headwaters and some of the Upper Mississippi, the rest of the water is pretty muddy. The muddy water hides danger like alligators, snakes, and other water creatures. It also hides swimmers, so if you are in trouble and need help it’s a lot harder to spot you.

Where Are the Best Swimming Spots? What Are Areas to Avoid?

With all that said, you very well can go swimming in the Mississippi despite it not being recommended in many places. The best places to swim in the Mississippi are those that are more northern. Once the river converges with more and more tributaries, the water gets muddier and more polluted. The clearest and freshest water will be in the northern parts of the river, nearer to the headwaters.

Itasca State Park

Lake Itasca is where the Mississippi River flows from. It’s located in Clearwater County, MN, inside Itasca State Park. While not technically a part of the river, you can swim in Lake Itasca, or you can walk a bit farther and get in the actual river. The headwaters of the river are the most popular part of the park. In this area, the river is pretty shallow, so most visitors wade in it rather than swim. Something to keep in mind is that the average summer temperatures for the area are in the mid-60s. You’ll get much clearer water here, but you may not be able to handle the cold.

Pettibone Beach

Pettibone Beach is inside Pettibone Park, which is in La Crosse, Wisconsin. When it opened in 1901 it was originally considered a part of Minnesota, it became the property of La Crosse later. There are a few things to do at Pettibone Park, but it’s most famous for the sandy beach that borders the Mississippi River. The water temperature there is usually in the upper 70s during the summer. 

Audubon Park

Audobon Riverview Park is in New Orleans, LA. Since it is in the southern portion of the river, it’s not advisable to swim in this portion. The park has been a picnic destination for more than 50 years, with grassy areas and plenty of shade. It is directly adjacent to the Mississippi River, but there is no beach area. The park has athletic fields for soccer and baseball, as well as a rubberized baseball diamond for children with special needs to play baseball. While the park borders the river, it prohibits swimming in it.

Places to Visit Nearby

The Mississippi River runs along and borders some major cities, including New Orleans, Memphis, and St. Louis. New Orleans is popular for its jazz music, cajun food, and Mardi Gras celebrations. The area is also well-known for the bar and nightlife scene, as well as ghost tours. New Orleans is a fun and quirky place that anyone can enjoy.

Memphis, TN, is another major city that the Mississippi runs through. Memphis is the home of Elvis Presley, and there are many museums and stores dedicated to him. You can explore one of his homes, the recording studio where he and other artists recorded songs, and visit some very famous restaurants. Memphis is also the site of the world’s largest Bass Pro Shops, which were built inside a pyramid.

The Mississippi River also runs through the city of St. Louis, MO. St. Louis is famous for having The Gateway Arch, a giant architectural structure and part of the Gateway Arch National Park. It’s just off the shore of the Mississippi River in Downtown St. Louis. It was the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804, and sees millions of visitors per year. It’s also the smallest national park in the country. If you can’t find enough to do there, check out the Saint Louis Zoo, located a few miles down the road.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Danita Delimont/Shutterstock.com