The Mississippi Delta

The Mississippi Delta is the area where the Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico. It is located in southeastern Louisiana. The delta is made of mud and sediment that the river has carried from across the country. It is a land of bayous, wetlands, and wildlife.

How the Delta Formed

The Mississippi River carries tons of mud and sand from 31 states. When the river reaches the Gulf of Mexico, it slows down and drops this sediment. Over thousands of years, the sediment built up to form new land. The river splits into several channels called distributaries.

A Disappearing Delta

The Mississippi Delta is losing land every year. Rising sea levels, sinking ground, and levees that prevent natural flooding are all causes. Louisiana loses about a football field of wetland every hour. Scientists and engineers are working on ways to save this important area.

Fun Facts

• The Mississippi Delta looks like a bird's foot from the air.
• Louisiana loses about 25 to 35 square miles of coastal land each year.
• The delta's wetlands are important nurseries for shrimp, crabs, and fish.

Did You Know?

The Mississippi River carries about 500 million tons of sediment to the Gulf of Mexico every year, enough to fill a line of dump trucks stretching around the Earth!