The depth of the Mississippi River varies significantly along its course:
- At its source, Lake Itasca in Minnesota, the river is about 3 feet (0.91 m) deep
- Between Saint Paul and Saint Louis, the average depth ranges from 9 to 12 feet (2.7–3.7 m), with Lake Pepin being the deepest part in this section, averaging 20–32 feet (6–10 m) deep and reaching a maximum depth of 60 feet (18 m)
- Between Saint Louis and Cairo, Illinois, the depth averages around 30 feet (9 m)
- Below Cairo, where the Ohio River joins, the depth increases to an average of 50–100 feet (15–30 m)
- The deepest part of the Mississippi River is near New Orleans, where it reaches up to 200 feet (61 m) deep, particularly between Governor Nicholls Wharf and Algiers Point in the French Quarter area
In summary, the Mississippi River depth ranges from a few feet at its source to up to 200 feet near New Orleans, with typical depths in most sections between 9 and 100 feet depending on the location along the river.
