Last updated: July 10, 2024
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NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Minnesota
Geodiversity refers to the full variety of natural geologic (rocks, minerals, sediments, fossils, landforms, and physical processes) and soil resources and processes that occur in the park. A product of the Geologic Resources Inventory, the NPS Geodiversity Atlas delivers information in support of education, Geoconservation, and integrated management of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of the ecosystem.
Introduction
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MISS) encompasses a 115 km (72 mi) tract of the Mississippi River corridor through the Twin Cities metropolitan area in Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington Counties, Minnesota. Established on November 18, 1988, MISS includes approximately 21,762 hectares (53,775 acres) of river, tallgrass prairie, oak savanna, floodplain forest, and wetlands. MISS features a wealth of significant natural, cultural, historic, scenic, economic, and scientific resources, complemented by a variety of recreational opportunities (Anderson 2017). The character of the Mississippi River changes dramatically in MISS, starting as a modest-sized river under protection as a state wild and scenic river. The river plunges over its only true waterfall (St. Anthony Falls) in Minneapolis, and enters a deep, wooded gorge before opening up into a forested floodplain (Mississippi National River and Recreation Area 2021). Prominent attractions within the park include the St. Anthony Falls Historic District, Historic Fort Snelling and the adjacent Fort Snelling State Park, Minnehaha Falls, and the rustic Winchell Trail.
Geologic Setting
The bedrock geology of Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is predominantly composed of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks ranging from Cambrian through Ordovician in age. The oldest bedrock in MISS pertains to the late Cambrian Ironton Sandstone, Galesville Sandstone, St. Lawrence Formation, Franconia Formation, and the Jordan Sandstone, although only the Jordan Sandstone is exposed. Younger Ordovician rocks of MISS include the Prairie du Chien Group, St. Peter Sandstone, Platteville Formation, Glenwood Formation, Decorah Shale, and the Cummingsville Formation. Many bedrock units of MISS have historical character associated with American Indian tribes and early colonial traders. During the Pleistocene, the Illinoian and Wisconsinan glaciation events influenced the development of the landscape in MISS. The park unit sits near the terminus of the Wisconsinan event, exhibiting a glaciated landscape to the north that contains terminal moraines, till, glacial lake deposits, glacial drift, and outwash deposits.
Regional Geology
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a part of the Central Lowland Physiographic Province and shares its geologic history and some characteristic geologic formations with a region that extends well beyond park boundaries.
The Geologic Resources Inventory produces digital geologic maps and reports for more than 270 natural resource parks. The products listed below are currently available for this park, check back often for updates as many maps, reports, and posters are still in progress.
- Scoping summaries are records of scoping meetings where NPS staff and local geologists determined the park’s geologic mapping plan and what content should be included in the report.
- Digital geologic maps include files for viewing in GIS software, a guide to using the data, and a document with ancillary map information. Newer products also include data viewable in Google Earth and online map services.
- Reports use the maps to discuss the park’s setting and significance, notable geologic features and processes, geologic resource management issues, and geologic history.
- Posters are a static view of the GIS data in PDF format. Newer posters include aerial imagery or shaded relief and other park information. They are also included with the reports.
- Projects list basic information about the program and all products available for a park.
Source: Data Store Saved Search 3015. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
A NPS Soil Resources Inventory project has been completed for Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and can be found on the NPS Data Store.
Source: Data Store Saved Search 3062. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
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Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
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National Park Service Geodiversity Atlas
The servicewide Geodiversity Atlas provides information on geoheritage and geodiversity resources and values within the National Park System. This information supports science-based geoconservation and interpretation in the NPS, as well as STEM education in schools, museums, and field camps. The NPS Geologic Resources Division and many parks work with National and International geoconservation communities to ensure that NPS abiotic resources are managed using the highest standards and best practices available.