#15 Things The Mississippi River Is Known For

Of all the things the Mississippi River is known for, its vital role in the industrialization of the United States is at the top of the list. As one of the world’s most vital commercial waterways, the river was essential to the nation’s growth throughout the Industrial Revolution. However, its importance has only grown since the evolution of manufacturing. The Mississippi River remains one of the world’s major river systems in terms of size, biological productivity, and habitat diversity.

Although debated by scholars worldwide, the Industrial Revolution generally spanned from approximately 1760 to 1840. American culture saw a dramatic shift from creating goods by hand to using machines during this time. The Mississippi River carried nearly every trade good imaginable — from furs and agricultural products to cotton, sugar, and tobacco.

In each instance, the trades made via the Mississippi led to unique forms of culture, making the river one of Earth’s most prominent and transformative waterways. Still, the magnificent river is known for much more! Looking before and after the Industrial Revolution, here are 15 things the Mississippi River is known for:

1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Written in 1884, Mark Twain’s epic tale of Huckleberry Finn famously places the Mississippi River at the center of its narrative. As the river flows approximately 2,300 miles from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, it serves as both a source of problems and of escape. While The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has become controversial over the years, its connection to the river will never be lost. And for many, Huck and Jim are the first two people that come to mind when they hear the words “Mississippi River.”

2. Mississippi River Flooding: The Great Flood of 1927

Many years after Twain’s novel, “The Great Flood of 1927” occurred in April of that year. The overflowing of the Mississippi River valley left more than 23,000 sq mi (60,000 sq km) of land submerged. The intense flood caused 250 casualties and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Additionally, the way the then-governing administration handled the flood resulted in a drastic shift in political loyalty. The community at the time shifted their support to the Democratic Party and many of the social and political changes that stemmed directly from the flood still ensue today!

3. The Third Largest River Basin on the Planet

The sheer size of the Mississippi River is mind-blowing. Beginning at Lake Itasca, the river runs through the center of the continental United States for 2,350 miles. Only outranked by the Amazon and Congo River basins, the Mississippi River encompasses more than 1.2 million square miles! At its widest point, the incredible river spans a width of eleven miles. Its immense size is easily one of the primary things the Mississippi River is known for.

4. The Mississippi River Flowed Backward Three Times!

In 2005, during Hurricane Katrina, the Mississippi River rose to a height of 13 feet (4 m) above average, and the water temporarily flowed backward for what most thought was the first time. The same thing happened in August 2012 when Hurricane Isaac raised the waters to roughly 10 feet (3 m) above average. The river flowed backward for an entire 24 hours, shocking people across the country. However, this was actually the third time it happened! The first time the Mississippi River flowed backward was in 1811-1812. An earthquake in the New Madrid seismic zone caused the phenomenon.

5. Two People Have Famously Swum the Length of the River

Two people are in the history books for having swam the entire stretch of the Mississippi River. First, a Slovenian distance swimmer named Martin Strel swam the river in 2002. It took him 68 days to accomplish the tremendous feat. Again, in 2015, an American Navy combat veteran named Chris Ring decided to tackle the same mission. He became the first American to swim the entire river length and completed the journey in 181 days.

6. The Mississippi River Flows Through Ten States

One of the most well-known facts surrounding the river is its incredible length, which runs through ten states. The Mississippi River runs from north to south through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

7. There Are Two State Capitals Along the Mississippi

While looking at the ten states through which the Mississippi River travels, it becomes apparent that there must be at least one state capital along the way. In fact, the Mississippi River has two state capitals within these ten states. The two state capitals that reside along the Mississippi River are St. Paul, Minnesota and Baton Rouge, Louisian — one at each end of the river.

8. Water Skiing Was Invented on The Mississippi River

In 1922, 18-year-old Ralph Samuelson translated the art of snow skiing to the water. He did this on the Mississippi River’s Lake Winnibigoshish. Unfortunately, Samuelson never patented his idea, and three years later, a New York inventor named Fred Waller did just that. Nevertheless, being the original home of water skiing is one of the many things the Mississippi River is known for.

9. It Is Home to 25% of All North American Fish Species

Beyond being known for a diverse range of animals, the Mississippi River is home to an impressive 25% of all North American fish species! Of the whopping 260 species of fish that thrive in the river, approximately half live below its only major waterfall — St. Anthony Falls. Some fish species in the Mississippi River include pike, sturgeon, catfish, carp, and gar.

10. Great River Road Borders Most of the River

Initially built in 1938, Great River Road was constructed as a way to drive along the vast majority of the river. An entire drive down Great River Road will put more than 3,000 miles on your engine and take approximately 36 hours! A large portion of the roadway is a federally designated National Scenic Byway.

11. Cruises

The Mississippi River Cruise is broken into two separate cruises: the Upper Mississippi River and the Upper Mississippi River Cruise. The first takes tourists from St. Louis, Missouri, to St. Paul, Minnesota, while the Lower Mississippi River Cruise takes passengers through Memphis, Tennessee, and down to New Orleans, Louisiana. Additionally, there are several other cruises through the river’s tributaries, such as the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers.

12. The” Father of Waters”

The Mississippi River is known for its name. The Anishinabe people also called the Ojibwe Indians, originally called the river Messipi (Mee-zee-see-bee). Messipi translates to “Big River.” However, the Dakota Indians called the river Hahawakpa, which means “River of the Falls.” The original name of Messipi was expanded, and together, it undertook the meaning “Father of Waters.”

13. Range of Depth

When people drive alongside the Mississippi River, most wonder how deep it is. Surprisingly, the river is as shallow as only three feet at its origin point! Follow the river about 2,300 miles into New Orleans, Louisiana, however, and the maximum depth of the river hits nearly 200 feet. This part of the Mississippi River flows from Governor Nicholls Wharf down to Algiers Point.

14. The Most Connections in North America

Due to its size and length, it may not surprise you to learn that one of the things the Mississippi River is known for is its connections to other rivers. Along its path toward the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River makes numerous connections, including sprawls from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachian Mountains.

15. Water Takes Three Months to Travel the Entire Length of the River

Every second, the Mississippi River dumps more than 4 million gallons of water into the Gulf of Mexico. However, the river flows at varying speeds along its north/south journey due to man-made alterations and natural meanders. At its average rate of speed, it takes water flowing from Lake Itasca three months to reach the Gulf of Mexico.

Summary Things The Mississippi River Is Known For

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Alohalika from Getty Images Signature, Lyanatha Studio/ via Canva.com