The Mississippi River's 10-State Journey to the Gulf

From Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico

The Mississippi River flows through or borders ten states on its 2,340-mile (3,766 km) course from Minnesota's Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico:

1. Minnesota — Source at Lake Itasca (1,475 ft). Northwoods, wild rice, headwaters dams.
2. Wisconsin — Western border. Driftless Area bluffs, La Crosse, Prairie du Chien.
3. Iowa — Eastern border. Quad Cities, Dubuque, Effigy Mounds.
4. Illinois — Western border. Cairo (confluence with Ohio). Chicago via canal (not river).
5. Missouri — Eastern border. St. Louis (Gateway Arch, Missouri confluence).
6. Kentucky — Western border (only at Mississippi). Wickliffe, Columbus-Belmont.
7. Tennessee — Western border (tiny sliver). Memphis (Chickasaw Bluffs).
8. Arkansas — Eastern border. Helena, Arkansas Post, Delta culture.
9. Mississippi — Western border. Vicksburg, Natchez, Greenville.
10. Louisiana — Flows through. Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Bird's Foot Delta → Gulf.

Key Confluences

• Missouri River (St. Louis) — doubles discharge.
• Ohio River (Cairo) — adds more water than upper Mississippi.
• Arkansas River (Arkansas) — major tributary.
• Red River (Louisiana) — Atchafalaya distributary captures 30% flow.

Border vs. Through

MN, WI, IA, IL, MO, KY, TN, AR, MS = border. LA = flows through (only state where river is entirely within).