Mississippi River System

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The Mississippi River System is a mostly riverine network which includes the Mississippi River and connecting waterways.

From the perspective of natural geography and hydrology, the system consists of the Mississippi River itself and its numerous natural tributaries and distributaries. The major tributaries are the Ohio and Missouri Rivers and, indirectly, such major Ohio River tributaries as the Allegheny, Tennessee, and Wabash Rivers. [1]

From the perspective of modern commercial navigation, the system includes the above as well as navigable inland waterways which are connected by artificial means. Important connecting waterways include the Illinois Waterway, the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. This system of waterways is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with a project depth of between 9 and 12 feet (2.7 – 3.7 m) to accommodate barge transportation, primarily of bulk commodities. [2]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Mississippi River. USGS Biological Resources. Retrieved on 2006-03-08.
  2. ^ The Mississippi River System. US Army Corps of Engineers. Retrieved on 2006-03-08.


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