Where Exactly Does the Missouri River Start?
The Missouri River starts in the Rocky Mountains at Three Forks, Montana. It flows 2,342 miles across the United States, stopping in Missouri. It drains 1/6 of the United States and flows east and south. This fascinating river covers roughly 500,000 square miles and crosses through 10 American states and two Canadian provinces.
How Deep Is The Missouri River?
The average depth of the Missouri River channel is about 10-20 feet, depending on the area. It is said that some of its deeper parts can range anywhere from 120 ft to 150 ft. However, this river meets and merges with another river that creates one of the biggest flowing systems in the world. It is said at this point that the depth can reach nearly 200 ft! Even though the average depth of this water is not very deep, this is because there is a vast amount of sand and water-soaked gravel beneath the surface. The varying levels of sandbars, rocks, holes, and fast-moving currents make it unsafe for people to swim in the Missouri River. Even paddlers must remain cautious because the depth of this river varies so often.
What States Does The Missouri River Run Through?
The Missouri River runs through 7 different US states and two Canadian provinces. Starting in Montana, its 2,342 mi journey then flows through:
IowaKansasMissouriNebraskaNorth DakotaSouth Dakota
As for the Canadian provinces, the Missouri River runs through Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Does The Missouri River Intersect With Another River?
The Missouri River intersects with the Mississippi River roughly 20 miles north of St Louis, Missouri. It flows southeast from Montana to Missouri. The Mississippi River starts in Minnesota and runs all the way down the Midwest until it meets the Missouri River in the state of Missouri. Here, both rivers merge and then flow through Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The mouth then opens into the Gulf of Mexico, about a hundred miles south of New Orleans!
What Animals Live On The Missouri River?
The Missouri River is home to over 25 distinct species of wildlife! You can find many diverse types of fish and amphibians. This river is also a pathway for many different species of birds, most importantly the American bald eagle! You can even find over 12 different types of snakes and turtles along the river. Large mammals such as foxes, black bears, grizzly bears, and coyotes call the Missouri River home. It also hosts many different species of small mammals such as mice, squirrels, and prairie dogs! Not only has the Missouri River been used for traveling, water usage, and drainage for many years, but it has also been used for hunting and fishing. This river is a habitat for many varied species of fish, the most popular being the bluegill, crappie, trout, and catfish. On rare occasions, bull sharks have swum from the Gulf of Mexico, up the Mississippi through the Missouri River. They have even been found in St Louis, Missouri, a landlocked state where sharks are non-existent!
What Is The Missouri River’s History?
The Missouri River is not just home to many unusual species of wildlife, it is also filled with rich history! Before many European settlers came to America, native American tribes traveled and formed all along the Missouri River. However, it became notorious long after English settlers and other European settlers came to North America. It was when Thomas Jefferson was elected as president in 1800 that the Missouri River would then become a key component in expanding the United States further west. When the Lewis and Clark expedition began in 1804, two men traveled throughout the Missouri River. They went from St Louis all the way up until they discovered the Pacific Northwest. This inevitably led up to the Louisiana purchase and expanded the United States by 828,000 square miles!
In Conclusion
The Missouri River may be the longest-running river in America, but it is also the river that has the most vivid backstory. After all, it is the river that separated the English colonies from the Westlands previously owned by the French. It allowed settlers to expand the country to several different states. This river has been used as a source of water, food, and drainage for centuries, long before humans. It is one of the most viable and important rivers in North America and continues to fascinate people to this day!
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