Anoka in Anoka County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Where Land and Water Meet
The Mississippi River forms a unique and complex ecosystem spanning 2000 miles. From its origin at Lake Itasca in Northern Minnesota to its outlet in the Gulf of Mexico the river encompasses a diversity of life found only in a very few places on earth.
The river's history spans 750,000 years, having its beginning during the "Great Ice Age," or Pleistocene Epoch. As the glaciers retreated the glacial meltwater formed what is now the Mississippi River Basin. The north/south orientation of the Mississippi River helped to make it one of the most diverse habitat systems on the earth.
Of the 600 freshwater species of fish in North America, 43 percent are found in the Mississippi River – Bass and Walleye are just two types of fish one finds here.
40 percent of North America's migratory birds use the Mississippi River flyway on their way to breeding grounds in the north.
The Mississippi River drains 60 percent of the North American Continent, carrying 22 trillion cubic feet of water annually to the Gulf of Mexico.
The Mississippi River also carries over 500 million tons of sand, silt and clay. Nine thousand years of erosion and runoff have slowly filled the once deeply incised river channel. Here at the confluence of the Mississippi and Rum Rivers the basin becomes shallow and broad. Where the Rum River crosses the sandy plains of Anoka county, meandering streams that have become separated from the flow, small crescent shaped lakes called "oxbows."
This diversity of life is fragile and depends heavily on a clean environment. The Metropolitan Council Environmental Services has worked hard through the years to make the river here free of harmful chemicals. Evidence of this can be seen annually when once again the mayflies hatch by Two Rivers Historical Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 2000.
Location. 45° 11.486′ N, 93° 23.545′ W. Marker is in Anoka, Minnesota, in Anoka County. Marker can be reached from South Ferry Road, 0.3 miles east of South Ferry Street (U.S. 169). Marker is in Peninsula Point Park / Two Rivers Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1460 South Ferry Parkway, Anoka MN 55303, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bridging the Mississippi (here, next to this marker); River Highways (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fireman's Grove (about 300 feet away); Where Cultures Meet (about 400 feet away); Logbooms Meet Sawmills (about 500 feet away); Circle of Life (about 600 feet away); Highway of Exploration (about 600 feet away); Who Lived Here / Neighborhood Names / Building a Community (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anoka.
More about this marker. painting captions:
• Painting courtesy of Metropolitan Council Environmental Services.
• The Mississippi River drainage system is the aquatic home of over 240 species of fish (43 percent of all the freshwater species living in North America). In addition, it is the main Flyway for birds migrating to their summer ranges.
Also see . . . Mississippi River. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on December 24, 2013.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 772 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 24, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.