Curious Minnesota

Listen: Does the Mississippi River really begin at Lake Itasca?

Curious Minnesota podcast host Eric Roper digs into the science and history behind the Mighty Mississippi's headwaters.

By Eric Roper

April 5, 2021 at 3:06PM
People walk across the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park. (AARON LAVINSKY • AARON.LAVINSKY@STARTRIBUNE.COM/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

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The source of the Mississippi was a consequential mystery after the Revolutionary War. It remains hotly debated in some circles today. Connie Cox, the lead interpretive naturalist at Itasca State Park, discusses the history and science behind this issue with Curious Minnesota podcast host Eric Roper.

Further reading:

Is Minnesota's tiny Lake Itasca the true source of the Mississippi River?

Could the Mississippi River actually begin in South Dakota?

Minnesota History: Controversy at the Mississippi's headwaters

about the writer

Eric Roper

Curious Minnesota Editor

Eric Roper oversees Curious Minnesota, the Star Tribune's community reporting project fueled by great reader questions. He also hosts the Curious Minnesota podcast. 

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