2006 39c Wonders of America: Mississippi River Delta, Largest Delta

U.S. #4058
Mississippi River Delta
Wonders of America

Issue Date: May 27, 2006
City: Washington, DC
Quantity Issued: 204,000,000
Printed by: Avery Dennison
Printing Method: Photogravure
Perforation: Serpentine die cut 10 ¾
Color: Multicolored

America’s largest delta is located at the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana. The Mississippi River Delta covers approximately 11,000 square miles, or about one fourth of the state of Louisiana.

The delta was formed over thousands of years and undergoes continuous evolution. After passing through America’s heartland, the Mississippi River slows to meet the Gulf Coast. Suspended particles sink and form sediment. Over the course of 5,000 years, an estimated 15-50 miles of additional land were created along Louisiana’s coast by way of delta formation.

The Mississippi River changes course about every 1,000 years. During the 1950s, procedures were implemented to halt the change and protect developments along the current path. Dams, artificial channels, and other conservation methods lowered the amount of sediment carried to the region. Today, more than 15,000 acres are lost annually along the Mississippi River Delta.

The Mississippi River Delta contains 3 million acres of coastal wetlands located on the migratory path of millions of waterfowl. Nearly 95% of marine life in the Gulf of Mexico spends some portion of its life in the wetlands. The region also provides 16% of the U.S. fish harvest and is an important distributor of fuel energy.