Paddling the length of the Mississippi River is a grand adventure

By , Special to The Daily Memphian Updated: September 22, 2025 4:00 AM CT | Published: September 22, 2025 4:00 AM CT
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Mississippi River Basin Ag and Water Desk

This story is a product of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, an editorially independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri School of Journalism in partnership with Report For America and funded by the Walton Family Foundation.

“The big alligators will swim about 20 yards from you, parallel to you, and they’ll stay right next to you for about half a mile,” said one paddler. “What they’re trying to do is figure out who’s bigger — you in the kayak, or them.”

Topics

Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk Mississippi River Invasive carp Shawn Hamerlinck Charles Lampman Drift South Expedition
In partnership with
Mississippi River Basin Ag and Water Desk

This story is a product of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, an editorially independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri School of Journalism in partnership with Report For America and funded by the Walton Family Foundation.

Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk

Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk

The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk is an independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri, in partnership with Report For America and the Society of Environmental Journalists, funded by the Walton Family Foundation. The Daily Memphian is a member of the reporting network.


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