America's Mississippi
S01E02: The Heartland
Nearly 700 miles south from where it begins, the Mississippi River bids farewell to Minnesota and enters America's heartland. From the Upper Midwest's Driftless Area to Missouri's city of St. Louis, this leg of the nation's greatest river takes us from frozen northern waters to summer fishing tournaments. Along the way, follow creatures of all sizes that depend on the river to survive, from wild turkeys to elusive bobcats to river otters.
Overview
It begins at Minnesota's Lake Itasca and ends in the Gulf of Mexico. From top to bottom, the mighty Mississippi River is a 2,300-mile marvel and America's lifeline to the world. Follow the river as it carves its path from the northern headwaters to the nation's heartland to the southern bayou. Discover how the Mississippi operates as an engine of commerce, and see how its creatures thrive in and above its rushing waters and along its lush, green banks.