What to see on the upper Mississippi River?

What to see on the upper Mississippi River?

The scenery along the upper Mississippi River is beautiful; the farther north you are, the more likely you are to spot wildlife while cruising. You’ll definitely see egrets, hawks and bald eagles, and, if you’re lucky, spot turtles and otters in the river.

Which is better lower Mississippi or Upper Mississippi?

Choose a lower Mississippi itinerary if you’re interested in U.S. history, particularly the Civil War. Also choose a lower Mississippi sailing if you want more Southern cuisine, a music-themed cruise or want a greater choice of itineraries.

Is there a cruise down the Mississippi River?

Cruisers interested in lower Mississippi cruises typically have several choices: round trip from New Orleans, New Orleans to Memphis, Memphis to St. Louis, and New Orleans to St. Louis (the last three can be done in the reverse order as well).

Why are there so many bridges on the Mississippi River?

Water levels must stay even in order for riverboats to fit under the large number of bridges that span the Mississippi from St. Louis on north. Even a little bit of flooding along the Mississippi from too much rain can raise the level of the river, making it impossible for boats to get under bridges.

Where is the upper part of the Mississippi River?

The Upper Mississippi River is the portion of the Mississippi River upstream of Cairo, Illinois, United States.

How big is the upper Mississippi River floodplain?

The dams regulate water levels for the Upper River and play a major part in regulating levels on the Lower Mississippi. On the upper reaches near the Minnesota- Wisconsin border, the river’s floodplain is between 1.5 and 5 kilometers (between 1 and 3 mi) wide.

How many locks are there on the Mississippi River?

There are 29 locks on the Upper Mississippi maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers —from Upper St. Anthony Falls upstream to Chain of Rocks downstream. The locks provide a collective 123 meters (404 ft) of lift. The Army Corps of Engineers has studied expanding locks 20, 21, 22, 24, and 25 on the Upper Mississippi.

Are there any national parks along the Mississippi River?

There are three National Park Service sites along the Upper Mississippi River. The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is the National Park Service site dedicated to protecting and interpreting the Mississippi River itself.