Connecting people, land & water across 31 states.
America’s Watershed Initiative (AWI) is a collaboration working with hundreds of business, government, academic, and civic organizations to find solutions for the challenges facing the Mississippi River and the more than 250 rivers that flow into it. Learn MoreJoin AWI for our next webinar:
The Great River Road: Uniting Communities, Driving Growth
In this webinar, Susanne Thiede-Barnet will focus on the Great River Road – a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road spanning 10 states along the Mississippi River. She will highlight how the Mississippi River Parkway Commission drives tourism, supports local economies, and preserves the cultural and natural heritage of river communities. Attendees will gain insight into how collaborative initiatives across the corridor foster recreation, community connection, and sustainable growth.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
12:00 pm to 12:30 pm CT
Exploring Qualitative Values of the Mississippi River: What People Think and Why It Matters
In this webinar, Natalie Warren will summarize a recent report from the University of Minnesota that investigates water values along the Mississippi River. We will explore questions such as: How do resident’s perceptions, engagement, and values of the river differ throughout the diverse geophysical regions of the Mississippi River corridor? What correlations emerge between how people engage with the river and how they talk about the river throughout the regions? This qualitative data can inform policy decisions on water quality investments and support government and nonprofit communications and strategic planning efforts along the river.
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
12:00 pm to 12:30 pm CT
States within the Watershed
Rivers within the Watershed
Largest Watershed in the World
The Mississippi River Watershed is vast, covering almost half of the continental United States. The river system provides $50 billion in agricultural products, flood mitigation and resilience, habitats for diverse and essential living resources, public land access and recreation.
Collaboration is necessary between private and public partners across the river system to enact sustainable solutions.
2020 Mississippi River Watershed Report Card
Only by working together—coordinated, focused and for the long term—will we make meaningful progress to raise the grades for America’s Watershed, for our future, and for our children’s future.
Our heartland rivers comprise America’s Watershed – a vital river system that provides drinking water for over 20 million Americans across 31 states, navigation of goods and products, supports key industries across the country and is an economic engine for America.
The Mississippi River Watershed Report Card grades the state of the watershed, identifying critical areas for improvement and many opportunities to improve our economy and secure our water supplies.
In 2020, the Mississippi River Watershed received a grade of C-.
Working together, we can find solutions for improving water quality and quantity, safety, and the health of America’s Watershed.
Building Partnership
AWI has been leading the co-creation of the Mississippi River Watershed Partnership–a vehicle to generate broad support, foster dialogue, and elevate the work of our partners.