Mississippi River

The Mississippi River flows over 2,350 miles, from Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to the Gulf of Mexico.
40% of North America's ducks, geese, swan and wading bird species rely on the Mississippi River as a migration corridor.
241 fish species inhabit the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
The Mississippi River serves as a shared border for 10 states.
The river and its tributaries supply drinking water for more than 18 million people in central U.S.
There are 29 locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi.
The Upper Mississippi has over 600 water-orientated recreation sites.
Annual revenue from recreational uses on the river exceeds $1.2 billion in the Upper Mississippi River alone; sport fishing and waterfowl hunting generate revenues of $100 million and $58 million respectively.
Dam 15 in the Quad Cities is the largest roller dam in the world.
One of the few sections of the Mississippi that actually flows east and west is located in the Quad Cities area. Mark Twain called it the Land of the Sunsets.

text source: