The Mighty Mississippi

The Mighty Mississippi. Written by Karen Swark.

《浩浩荡荡的密西西比河》 作者：凯伦·斯沃克

an epic journey. Rain falls on Lake Itasca 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.

一场壮阔的旅程开启了。 雨水落在明尼苏达州的伊塔斯卡湖上。 汇入澄澈的水流，那是一条窄到小孩子都能蹚过去的小河。 这里就是浩浩荡荡的密西西比河的起点。

Over the next three months, the water will take a 2 ,350 -mile, 3 ,781 -kilometer journey through 10 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.

接下来的三个月里，这些河水将踏上2350英里（合3781公里）的旅程，流经美国10个州。 它会路过植被、野生动物栖息地、大大小小的城市、乡镇还有农田。 它会把食物和其他物资送到河流沿岸的居民手中。 最终，它会汇入墨西哥湾。

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.

上游河段。离开伊塔斯卡湖后，河水流经数十道船闸和水坝。 这些设施共同保障了船只的航行安全。 它们会抬高水位，避免船只撞到河床。

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

这段河面上的船只把玉米和大豆运往南方。 这些粮食里有很大一部分会被销往世界各地。

More than 50 types of mammals live along the upper river. Playful river otters hunt and swim here.

密西西比河上游沿岸生活着50多种哺乳动物。 爱打闹的水獭会在这里捕猎、游泳嬉戏。