The Geographic Standpoint of the Mississippi River
Mississippi's name was derived from the 'misi-ziibi? Ojibwe word which means ?Great River?. Another Ojibwe term for it would be ?Gichi-ziibi? which means ?Big River?. It is regarded as the United States? 2nd longest river.
The famous Mississippi River is regarded as the United States? 2nd longest river. It has a length of 3,734 kilometers coming from the Lake Itasca that is found in Minnesota, its source, going to the Gulf of Mexico, its mouth. The recognized longest would be the noted Missouri River, its tributary, which measures 3,767 kilometers.
The famous Mississippi River is actually a part of the so-called ?Jefferson-Missouri-Mississippi River System?, North America's largest recognized river system. It is also included amongst the worlds largest. With a length of 6,275 kilometers, it ranks as the 4th longest. With an average discharge amounting to 572,000 cubic feet, it ranks as the 10th largest.
Amongst the various long Mississippi tributaries, the longest is indicated as the popular Missouri River and followed by the documented Arkansas River. Thus, if according to water volume, it is the renowned Ohio River that ranks as the largest.
Mississippi's name was derived from the 'misi-ziibi? Ojibwe word which means ?Great River?. Another Ojibwe term for it would be ?Gichi-ziibi? which means ?Big River?.
Hence, Mississippi River's widest point is actually Lake Onalaska, which is beside La Crosse, Wisconsin. It is about 6.4 kilometers wide. Since the so-called Lock and Dam No. 7 created Lake Onalaska, it is indicated that the historically widest natural spot with over 2 miles and 3 kilometer wide measurement would be Lake Pepin. However, this area is more of a reservoir rather than a 'free flowing river?. As for the areas that feature the Mississippi River as a 'real river?, it is noted that they exceed a mile when it comes to their width and they are located in many places along the Mississippi River's lower course.
Moreover, the Mississippi River is divided into two parts, the ?Upper Mississippi? and the ?Lower Mississippi?. For the Upper Mississippi, its source would come from the south towards the renowned Ohio River. The Lower Mississippi, on the other hand, its source would come from Ohio towards its mouth which is beside New Orleans, Louisiana.
Furthermore, the Upper Mississippi has a series composed of 29 dams and locks, which were mostly built during the 1930s. Their design is mainly maintaining a 9-feet deep channel meant for commercial barging of traffic. With regards to the formed lakes, these are being utilized for recreational fishing and boating. Although the dams actually make this river wider and deeper, it still doesn't stop it. In fact, flood control is not even one of its intentions. In the event of high flows, the gates, which are mostly submersible, are being completely opened. With this, the dams would basically cease its function. Thus, just beneath St. Louis, Missouri, you will find that the Mississippi River is already free flowing. This is amidst being constrained by several levees and generally directed by several wing dams.
On record, the famous Mississippi River runs throughout a total of 10 states. It is even utilized in order to define the portions of the borders of these states. Plus, during the time when these borders were being established, it is the middle part of the riverbed that acts as the line for defining the state's borders. Although the river has shifted since that time, there were no indicated changes with the lines of Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. Up to now, they still go after the Mississippi River's former bed.
When it comes to the Mississippi River's watershed, it is indicated also that it has the world's 3rd largest catchment or drainage basin. It follows the Congo River and Amazon River. Aside from this, it can drain about 41 percent of the total 48 US contiguous states. This basin can cover over 3,225,000 square kilometers, which also includes either parts or all of the 31 states as well as 2 Canadian provinces. Thus, this drainage basin is emptied at the actual Gulf of Mexico.
The Mississippi River's major tributaries are as follows:
1.Mississippi
?Yazoo River
?Big Black River
2.Louisiana
?Red River
3.Arkansas
?Arkansas River
?White River
4.Kentucky
?Ohio River
5.Illinois
?Kaskaskia River
?Big Muddy River
?Illinois River
?Rock River
6.Missouri
?Missouri River
7.Iowa
?Skunk River
?Des Moines River
?Maquoketa River
8.Wisconsin
?Chippewa River
?Wisconsin River
9.Minnesota
?Crow River
?Minnesota River
10.Wisconsin and Minnesota
?St. Croix River
When it comes to the drainage area of the Mississippi River, it actually drains the areas between the renowned Appalachian Mountains and Rocky Mountains. This is excluding the areas being drained by the Hudson Bay which is through the North's Red River, Rio Grande and the famous Great Lakes. It is also noted that the actual retention time from the popular Lake Itasca towards the Gulf would be around 90 days.
With regards to the Upper Mississippi River, it is further divided into 3 distinct sections:
1. The headwaters - This is from the actual source towards Saint Anthony Falls.
2. A somewhat series of lakes that are man-made in between St Louis, Missouri and Minneapolis.
3. Middle Mississippi - This is a 'free flowing river? that runs downstream of the actual confluence with St. Louis? Missouri River.
The tributaries for the Upper Mississippi River would adjoin the:
? Minnesota River - Twin Cities
? Des Moines River - Keokuk, Iowa
? Wisconsin River - Prairie du Chien
? Ohio River - Cairo, Illinois
? Missouri River and Illinois River - St. Louis, Missouri
With regards to the Lower Mississippi River, the sub-tributaries would include the:
? Platte River - Missouri River's tributary
? Tennessee River - Ohio River's tributary
? Arkansas River - Arkansas
? Atchafalaya River - Louisiana (Mississippi's major distributaries)
Thus, the fresh water that flows from the famous Mississippi River going towards the renowned Gulf of Mexico doesn't combine immediately with the salt water. It will stay intact while it flows towards the Gulf, and towards the regarded Straits of Florida. Then, it will enter the so-called Gulf Stream. After this, it will round Florida's tip and go up towards the southeastern coat towards Georgia's latitude. It is only after this that it will mix with the ocean thoroughly and will not be detected by the assigned MODIS anymore.
The average annual discharge of the famous Mississippi River is between 200,000 up to 700,000 cubic feet. Even if it is the world's fifth largest river by volume, this is only a fraction of what the Amazon River can do. It can move approximately seven million cubic feet during the wet seasons. At an average the famous Mississippi River can only stand with about a 1/11th fraction of the Amazon's capability. Thus, even so, it is still twice of the regarded Columbia River's and six times the popular Colorado River's volume.
For more information on Mississippi River please visit our website.
|
 |
 |
 |
MORE ARTICLES:
Horse riding paradise - equestrian log home ranches for sale
Horse riding ranches - equestrian real estate property for sale
The Secret That Keeps Horses Trainable!
As you likely know already, horses have at least 10 times our strength. If they also had our intelligence, they would probably be riding us humans.
Log Home Directory is a Genuine 'Find'
Log Home Directory announces significant new website enhancements geared to helping people find exactly what they need to research, design, build and maintain a log or timber frame home.
Thoroughbred Horse Racing and Their Various Forms
The most popular form of horse racing in the whole world is Thoroughbred horse racing and got so popular that some horse racing fans do not know of any other form of horse racing. Thoroughbred horse racing is also known as the 'sport of kings? by some horse racing fans. A thoroughbred horse owner would hire a trainer to condition and train his horse for only one form of horse race, because a good trainer will know that there are training regimens for every type of horse race. Sometimes an owner will opt to enter his horse in races that are similar to what the horse is being trained for.
Are You Searching For the Perfect Riding Horse?
To save you the time and money finding that perfect horse, I shall tell you the truth; the 'perfect horse' does not exist. Even the greatest looking 'well bred' horses fall short of the mark. Before you go to great expense of buying a horse, you need to consider how much commitment and time you will be investing in your riding career. You can even evaluate how good a rider you are, and how much you really know about horses and horse care. All the above are more important than the amount of money and time spent 'upfront'. At the start you have to be honest with yourself; do you need the training to become a better rider? Do you need books and videos to look at the theory of horse riding to begin with? You need to really consider this huge ...
Cedar Knoll Log Homes Adds Dealer in Central New York
Cedar Knoll Log Homes, a leading designer and manufacturer of high quality Adirondack log homes, log cabins, log garages and log siding, announces the addition of Great Lakes Log Home Builders as its newest log home dealer. Great Lakes Log Home Builders, located in Phelps, NY, has been in the log home business for nearly a decade and is now an authorized Cedar Knoll Log Home Dealer. Great Lakes Log Home Builders' primary geographic market is the Central New York region from Syracuse to Rochester.
The Spotted Saddle Horse - The Gaited Horse Of Many Colors
The Spotted Saddle Horse is a relatively new breed of naturally gaited horse that is known for having spotted coats of many colors They are versatile, good natured with strength and stamina
Log Home Cleaning and Color Maintenance Guide
Why Clean the Exterior
Log Home Mistakes Ebook Review
Ok, you are ready to build a log home. If you are not going to build it yourself, it mean you will hire a builder.
The Geographic Standpoint of the Mississippi River
Mississippi's name was derived from the 'misi-ziibi? Ojibwe word which means ?Great River? Another Ojibwe term for it would be ?Gichi-ziibi? which means ?Big River?
Helpful Hints & Tips On Buying A Horse
Helpful Hints & Tips On Buying A Horse
Horses In My Back Yard
Horses In My Back Yard
by Jody Hudson, with Extensive Collaboration From Chris Hudson
HORSE LOVERS: During my thirty years of selling rural land, I have frequently found that folks want some acreage so that they can own and ride horses. They LOVE horses in their own mind but have little if any of the real knowledge or experience necessary to raise one or more horses.
Tips When Buying a Horse
Here are some tips to remember when purchasing a horse or pony If you are not a horse person or have not much horse experience it is recommended to take a horse person with you or have them check out the horse before you purchase
Log Homes for Beginners - 10 Steps to Success
For those who may be thinking of building a new log home and enjoying the lifestyle that comes with it, there are a number of steps you should take to make the process smoother.
1.
How To Maintain Your Log Home
Why Clean the Exterior
|