The Mississippi River, located in North America, begins in Lake Itasca, Minnesota and flows south, ending at the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana.

... The River itself The Mississippi River, located in North America, begins in Lake Itasca, Minnesota and flows south, ending at the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana. Its watershed boundary is marked by the Rocky Mountains in the West, Appalachian Mountains in the East, and lakes in the north-east. Length: One of the longest rivers in the world; disputed to be between 2,320 - 2,550 miles long Width: Ranges from 20-30 feet at Lake Itasca to over four miles at Lake Onalaska Depth: Less than 3 feet deep at the source, but more than 200 feet deep at one point in New Orleans Elevation: Drains between 1.2 - 1.8 million square miles (41% of North America) - a total of 31 states and 2 Canadian provinces Watershed Area: Over 1,475 feet above sea level at Lake Itasca, dropping to 0 feet at its mouth Tributaries: Main ones are the R. Missouri (dry mid-west) to R. Ohio (wet highlands) Frequency of floods along the Mississippi> Minor

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