Mississippi River Watershed: Land UseDevelopment of this area began in the early 1800s, primarily for the lumber industry. The area was heavily timbered with millions of board feet of pine, spruce and other species of trees being cut and transported by river to the sawmills on the Ottawa River.

Land use in the Mississippi watershed is predominantly a mix of agriculture, built-up areas, wetlands, forested areas, and light development. Mississippi Valley Conservation (MVC) monitors the effect of development and land use to assess watershed conditions. This is done through field monitoring, remote sensing and gathering and interpreting information on the status of water and water related natural resources on an ongoing basis.

Adapted from MVC: Mississippi River Water Management Plan Final Report