National Park Service and Mississippi Park Connection's Go With the Flow Newsletter
Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 4:05PMVia a May 22 e-newsletter from Mississippi Park Connection
Last weekend was a rainy one! Have you ever wondered where all of that rainfall goes when it enters the Mississippi River? Well besides flowing downstream, eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) trees take up 50 to 200 gallons of water each day depending on their size and health. That's a lot of water being used and stored in these natural water towers along the Mississippi! Eastern cottonwoods need that much water because they are fast growers. They can grow 13 feet in their first year and as much as 5 feet in the following years, reaching towering heights of 60 to 100 feet when mature.
Eastern cottonwoods are a key member of the floodplain forest. They stabilize river banks and they provide habitat for wildlife, especially the beloved bald eagle. Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) need strong trees that rise over the canopy to support their large nests and to provide a high vantage point to spot prey in the river. Eastern cottonwood produce cottony seeds around this time of year that need to be submerged in water to germinate. Keep an eye out for their seeds as you walk the floodplain forests at Crosby Farm Regional Park and Fort Snelling State Park.
Check out the video above to learn more about floodplain forests from Ranger Jim!
Feeling stuck at home? Looking for one of a kind, scenic views? Ranger Will took us on a journey through the park and back in time on this week's Coffee With a Ranger. This program allows you to look at 3D images that show you what the Mississippi was like 150 years ago. You will also be inspired to learn how to make a DIY 3D viewer to continue your at home adventures. Grab your favorite mug and fill it to the brim before you travel into the past with Ranger Will!
