Get ready to mark your calendars, river lovers! A truly monumental wave of change is cresting on the horizon this year, and we simply can’t wait to share its profound unfolding with you. June 2, 2025, officially ushers in the inaugural National Mississippi River Day!
This isn’t merely a date on a calendar; it’s a vibrant, new annual tribute dedicated to honoring the majestic Mississippi River – the very pulsating artery of our continent and the intricate, breathing tapestry of life it ceaselessly sustains. This profound initiative flows from the collaborative spirit of One Mississippi and its 75 powerful Mississippi River Network member organizations, uniting in a shared, unwavering commitment to this vital, living waterway.
For those of us captivated by the allure of flowing waters, the Mississippi commands a truly hallowed, almost mystical, place in our hearts. Stretching approximately 2,350 miles, from the pristine, whispering wild rice beds of northern Minnesota to the vibrant, teeming oyster reefs of southern Louisiana, this isn’t just a river; it’s a timeless saga of connection, a living, breathing history, and the very essence of life itself.
Imagine its colossal embrace:
Leaders from One Mississippi passionately articulate how this grand River, with its vast watershed, beautifully weaves together 32 states, forging common ground and common water precisely when our fragmented world needs it most. This nascent national day powerfully underscores the immense, undeniable importance of safeguarding the majestic River that breathes life into so many.
Yet, beneath its shimmering surface and powerful, ancient currents, the Mississippi River bravely confronts monumental, pressing challenges. Threats loom large, from pervasive pollution that chokes its vitality and devastating habitat loss that silences its ecosystems, to the stark, unforgiving realities of extreme flooding and parching drought, all compounded by fragmented management efforts that fail its immense scale. Indeed, our mighty Mississippi was recently placed at the top of American Rivers’ sobering list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2025. The River’s health is a stark mirror reflecting our collective choices and unequivocally demands our unified, urgent commitment. No single community, state, or agency can hope to unravel these complex issues alone.
As water program directors from Mississippi River Network member organizations wisely observe, the River profoundly touches the very soul of every one of us – its ceaseless flow weaves through our towns, indelibly shapes our histories, and pulses through our very lives. This dedicated day offers a precious, timely opportunity to focus on what truly binds us, recognizing that clean water, a flourishing environment, and resilient communities are fundamental rights, not privileges, for all.
That’s precisely why this inaugural National Mississippi River Day pulses with such profound, essential significance. It is an urgent, compelling call to action, an invitation to converge and find our “common water” – to set aside differences, anchored by our shared values and a deep, abiding reverence for the natural world upon which we all utterly depend. The Mississippi River, in its essence, truly can serve as a majestic bridge, not merely uniting states, but forging unbreakable, resilient bonds among people.
Already, 10 venerable Mississippi River cities and the entire proud state of Missouri have officially proclaimed June 2nd as National Mississippi River Day, with a growing tide of others poised to join! This expanding wave of support vividly demonstrates the widespread, heartfelt recognition of the River’s immense and irreplaceable significance.
There are several impactful ways you can honor this historic day and actively contribute to the enduring well-being of the Mississippi River:
On June 2nd, let’s do more than just celebrate the Mississippi River; let’s unite to protect it. Because when we care for the River, we truly care for each other.
On National Mississippi River Day, June 2, 2025, let this inaugural celebration be more than just a moment in time. Let it be the day we deepen our collective promise to the Mississippi – to honor its enduring majesty, heed its urgent calls, and ensure its vital currents flow freely and vibrantly for every tomorrow. Your voice, your action, and your personal connection help forge its future, ensuring that the heart of America continues to beat strong.
National Mississippi River Day is a brand-new annual event, officially launching on June 2, 2025, dedicated to honoring the majestic Mississippi River and the life it sustains as the pulsating artery of our continent.
The inaugural National Mississippi River Day will take place on June 2, 2025.
This significant initiative is brought forth by One Mississippi and its 75 powerful Mississippi River Network member organizations, uniting in a shared commitment to the waterway.
The Mississippi River spans approximately 2,350 miles and its colossal watershed gathers waters from a total of 32 states, making it the largest in North America.
The National Mississippi River Day Pendant Necklace, launched by River Mixer, contains preserved Mississippi River water. It’s designed as a unique and tangible way to commemorate this historic day and carry a piece of the river’s history and eternal flow.
This blog post uses publicly available information from various sources, synthesized with the help of AI, as a starting point for exploring the world of rivers. Our editors review the content for accuracy, though we encourage readers to verify information intended for primary source use. We strive to use public domain, licensed, or AI-generated images; due to the nature of online sharing, individual image sources are generally not credited. Please contact us regarding any copyright concerns.
We collect water solely from flowing freshwater sources such as rivers, named bayous, streams, creeks, and brooks. Historically significant man-made freshwater canals, like the Erie Canal, may also be included. In exceptional cases, we may consider non-freshwater waterways like the culturally significant Bosporus Strait.
The water we collect isn’t meant for consumption. It becomes part of our treasured collection, a source of inspiration and unique keepsakes.
We’d love to hear from you! Here’s how to get started:
Become a Member: Fill out the membership form on our website.
Tell Us About Yourself: After submitting the form, send us an email to share more about yourself and your reasons for wanting to be part of River Mixer.
Review Collection Guidelines: While you wait to hear back, take a look at our collection guidelines to ensure any river water you plan to submit meets our requirements.
Submit Your River Water (Optional): If you have river water you’d like to contribute, briefly describe it in your email, including the location and name (if applicable). We’ll let you know if it’s a good fit for the collection.
Each river contributes just 500 ml (16 oz) [or less] of its story to our collection, ensuring a unique representation of waterways around the world. We limit our collections to a single sampling trip per river.
To ensure the authenticity and provenance of our river water, we employ a multi-step verification process. This includes video and photographic documentation of collection sites, coupled with GPS location tracking. Additionally, we collaborate exclusively with thoroughly vetted members and volunteers who represent the River Mixer during water collection.
Forget everything you thought you knew about maps. What if a map could be both a scientific document and a work of art? Dive into the world of Robert Szucs, the Hungarian cartographer who transforms geographical data into breathtaking visualizations of our planet’s rivers.
Ever wondered what happens to the staggering amount of plastic pulled from our precious waterways? Discover the incredible journey of environmental activist Gary Bencheghib, who didn’t just clean a river, but sparked a revolution to transform polluting plastic into stunning design. Prepare to be inspired by the story behind Sungai Watch and the innovative mission of SUNGAI DESIGN.
Just a short trip from the ancient walls of Dubrovnik, a hidden world awaits. The Ljuta River—its name meaning “fierce”—is a geological marvel and a historical powerhouse. Explore a landscape shaped by tectonic plates and discover centuries-old water mills that once fueled a Republic. This is more than just a scenic view; it’s a journey into the secrets of Croatia’s past.
What if the most fascinating landscapes on Earth aren’t oceanside paradises, but hidden worlds formed by the quiet power of flowing water? They are known as river islands—dynamic, ever-shifting lands that defy traditional geography. From sprawling, uninhabited havens teeming with life to crowded metropolises where millions call them home, these unique landforms reveal a side of our planet you’ve likely never considered. Are you ready to see a new world within the familiar flow of a river?
Paul Rosolie is an award-winning naturalist who has dedicated his life to protecting the Amazon’s rivers and rainforests. While he gained global attention for his daring “Eaten Alive” stunt, his real work is on the ground with his organization, Junglekeepers, which patrols threatened habitats to keep them safe. His story is about a profound personal journey and an unwavering commitment to a cause that affects us all.
North America once hosted the Paleo-Bell River, a colossal waterway larger than today’s Amazon. First hypothesized by Canadian geologist Robert Bell in 1895, this vanished giant stretched from the Rockies, potentially reaching the Grand Canyon region, to a massive delta in the Labrador Sea. Evidence like ancient pollen and mineral analysis confirm its scale. Ice Age glaciers ultimately reshaped the continent, diverting its flow and giving birth to our modern rivers, a powerful testament to Earth’s dynamic past.
We had multiple art options for this post’s cover, but only one could make the cut. Here are 5 runner-ups. Did we choose the right one?
© 2025 River Mixer™ LLC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without written permission.
