The Mississippi River is one of the world’s great rivers with one of the most complex ecosystems on the planet. It is also one of the defining features of the North American continent and is home to a diverse collection of wildlife and plant life. Learn about the natural resources and history of the Mississippi River within the park corridor.

2009 Fall Waterfowl Survey on the Upper Mississippi River
Each autumn, migrating waterfowl arrive on the pools of the upper Mississippi River to forage and to follow the river south toward wintering areas. A partnership, led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), monitors the number of waterfowl for management purposes.
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Water Quality
Find out what's being done to clean up the river, get informed about what you can do to reduce the amount of pollutants entering the river and join up with others to make a difference.
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Mississippi River Facts
Did you know the Mississippi River watershed includes 31 states and 2 Canadian Providences? Or, that at Lake Itasca, the Mississippi's source, the river is only 20-30 feet wide and can easily be walked across? Find out more interesting facts and answers to your river-related questions.
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Eagle Survey
In recent summers the National Park Service has collected data from nestlings in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area to determine the persistence of various chemicals in the river. Findings are analyzed for levels of contaminants and reported. These reports provide insights into the health of the river and the ecosystems that depend on it.
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Prairie Restoration
The prairies of North America were once vast grasslands that covered 200 million acres, a complex ecosystem supporting a large amount of wildlife. Today, less than one percent of that native habitat is left. Learn about what's being done to restore the prairies and how restoration supports the revitalization of river habitats.
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