Mississippi and White Rivers, Arkansas September 1996 The Mississippi River is the largest river system in the United States draining nearly one-third of the country. Only the Nile River of Africa and the Amazon River of South America drain larger areas. Rich agricultural lands, created by thousands of years of river flooding and meandering, are visible on both sides of the river. Midway between the center and right center of the image, the small city of Clarksdale, Mississippi is discernible. Clarksdale is a processing and distribution center in a rich cotton producing area. To the west (left) of the Mississippi River, the meandering White River in Arkansas is visible. The river is forested on both sides and these forested lands have been set-aside as a National Wildlife Refuge area. The area outside the refuge is agricultural and is easily distinguished from the refuge. The White River, 690 miles (1110 km) long, rises in the Boston Mountains of northwestern Arkansas, and is navigable for shallow-draft vessels 300 miles (480 km) upstream from where the river enters the Mississippi River