Mississippi River Watershed Partnership
States
People
square miles
major tributaries
About The Partnership
The goal of the MRWP is to build a diverse and robust coalition toward whole watershed solutions. Building on existing initiatives, this coalition will act with a unified voice to generate broad support and dedicated funding to catalyze action and improve the health of the Mississippi River watershed.
Why This Matters Now
The Mississippi River watershed is a lifeline for millions of Americans and unhealthy conditions have far reaching implications. Every action in the watershed creates real consequences for communities, economies and livelihoods.
Pollutants threaten drinking water for 20 million people. Floods and droughts are happening more frequently. Deteriorating infrastructure compromises safe navigation. The cost of these consequences are mounting every day. Without a shared effort to improve conditions at scale, these challenges become insurmountable.
The Mississippi River Watershed Partnership (MRWP) was created to realize this shared effort. We know that rivers are linear systems and changes made in one part of the watershed affect the rest of the system. This is why a collaborative, whole watershed approach is needed.
Partners and Leadership
Focus Areas
The MRWP focuses on five key areas: Fish and Wildlife, Floods and Droughts, Navigation, Recreation, and Water Quality. We know these issues are deeply connected—what affects one often impacts the others. That’s why, in addition to the five focus areas, we also highlight cross-cutting goals and actions that link them together and strengthen the health of the whole watershed.
Fish and Wildlife
The Mississippi River watershed provides habitat for hundreds of species of fish, birds, and other wildlife. Protecting and restoring these ecosystems ensures biodiversity, healthy food webs, and thriving communities that depend on them.
Flood and Drought
Communities along the river face increasing risks from both floods and droughts. By working together, we can reduce vulnerabilities, improve resilience, and protect people, infrastructure, and ecosystems.
Navigation
The Mississippi River is a vital inland navigation system, moving agricultural products, energy resources, and goods that support communities across the nation. Strengthening this system ensures reliable transportation, economic growth, and global competitiveness.
Recreation
From fishing and paddling to hiking and birdwatching, the Mississippi River and its tributaries provide countless opportunities to connect with nature. Expanding safe and equitable access helps more people enjoy and care for the river.
Water Quality
Clean water is essential for people, wildlife, and economies throughout the watershed. Reducing pollution and improving water quality safeguards drinking water, recreation, and ecological health for future generations.
Cross-Cutting
Some goals and actions support more than one focus area, such as improving data, fostering collaboration, or building community capacity. These cross-cutting efforts strengthen connections across the watershed and help ensure that progress in one area benefits many others.
Watershed News & Updates
River Connections Report Highlights Growing Momentum for a More Connected Mississippi River Watershed
The Mississippi River watershed is one of North America's most important natural and economic systems. Spanning 31 states and two Canadian provinces, it provides resources for 95 million people, supports navigation and agriculture, sustains fish and wildlife habitat,...
The Road Ahead
