The Mighty Mississippi

The Mighty Mississippi

An Epic Journey Rain falls on Lake ltasca in Minnesota. It mixes into the clear waters of a river so small that a child could wade across it. This is the start of the mighty Mississippi River.

Over the next three months, the water will take a 2, 350-mile (3, 781 km)journey through ten U. S. states. It will flow past plants, animals, cities, towns, and farmland. It will carry food and other items to people up and down the river. At last, it will enter the Gulf of Mexico.

The Upper River After leaving the lake, the water flows through dozens of locks and dams. Together, they make it safe for boats to travel. They hold back water so boats don't hit the river bottom.

Boats on this part of the river carry corn and soybeans south. Much of this food is shipped around the world.

More than fifty types of mammals live along the upper river. Playful river otters hunt and swim here.