Watershed Mississippi River

map of mississippi river watershed.




an animation of flows along rivers of mississippi watershed.

the mississippi river has world s fourth-largest drainage basin ( watershed or catchment ). basin covers more 1,245,000 square miles (3,220,000 km), including or parts of 31 u.s. states , 2 canadian provinces. drainage basin empties gulf of mexico, part of atlantic ocean. total catchment of mississippi river covers 40% of landmass of continental united states. highest point within watershed highest point of rocky mountains, mount elbert @ 14,440 feet (4,400 m).

sequence of nasa modis images showing outflow of fresh water mississippi (arrows) gulf of mexico (2004)

in united states, mississippi river drains majority of area between crest of rocky mountains , crest of appalachian mountains, except various regions drained hudson bay red river of north; atlantic ocean great lakes , saint lawrence river; , gulf of mexico rio grande, alabama , tombigbee rivers, chattahoochee , appalachicola rivers, , various smaller coastal waterways along gulf.

the mississippi river empties gulf of mexico 100 miles (160 km) downstream new orleans. measurements of length of mississippi lake itasca gulf of mexico vary somewhat, united states geological survey s number 2,320 miles (3,730 km). retention time lake itasca gulf typically 90 days.