06/02/2026
Happy National Mississippi River Day! 🌊
Few natural features shape our nation quite like the Mississippi River.
Flowing more than 2,300 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River and its watershed touch the lives of millions of people across 31 states and two Canadian provinces. Its waters drain nearly 40% of the continental United States, connecting farms, forests, wetlands, cities, and communities through one vast and interconnected system.
The river provides drinking water, supports agriculture and industry, serves as a vital transportation corridor, and creates habitat for countless species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. For generations, it has shaped our history, culture, economy, and identity.
Here at NGRREC, we are reminded every day that what happens in one part of a watershed can influence ecosystems and communities hundreds of miles away. That's why our mission focuses on advancing the science, education, and stewardship needed to better understand and protect our Great Rivers. Through research, environmental education, community science, and outreach, we help connect people to the rivers that connect all of us.
With our field station located in the heart of the Great Rivers confluence, where the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers meet, we have a front-row seat to one of the most important river systems on Earth. We see firsthand the power of these waters to support wildlife, sustain communities, and inspire discovery.
Today, we celebrate not only the Mississippi River itself, but the countless people working to study, protect, and care for it. Because whether you live along its banks or hundreds of miles from its channel, you are connected to the Mississippi River.
🌎 One river. Millions of people. Countless stories. An immeasurable impact.
Learn more: https://www.mississippiriver.org/national-mississippi-river-day
1 Mississippi
