Iowa's 'Life on the Mississippi' from Mark Twain to today

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Just as rivers define Iowa, so they did Samuel Clemens.

Justin Manning of Burlington throws a net to catch bait fish before sunrise, June 12, 2026, in Burlington, Iowa. — Justin Manning of Burlington throws a net to catch bait fish before sunrise, June 12, 2026, in Burlington.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

Barges enter and leave though Lock and Dam No. 19 on the Mississippi River, June 12, 2026, in Keokuk, Iowa. — Barges enter and leave though Lock and Dam No. 19 on the Mississippi River, June 12, 2026, in Keokuk.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

Love locks symbolizing eternal bonds are found on the Old Keokuk-Hamilton Mississippi River Bridge Observation Deck, June 12, 2026, in Keokuk. Couples attach locks to the deck's railing overlooking the river and Lock and Dam No. 19. — Love locks symbolizing eternal bonds are found on the Old Keokuk-Hamilton Mississippi River Bridge Observation Deck, June 12, 2026, in Keokuk. Couples attach locks to the deck's railing overlooking the river and Lock and Dam No. 19.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

Ellen Norman walks her dog Beauregard at Rand Park, June 12, 2026, in Keokuk, Iowa. — Ellen Norman walks her dog Beauregard at Rand Park, June 12, 2026, in Keokuk.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

A Bald Eagle flies over the Mississippi River as the sun rises on Burlington, Iowa, June 12, 2026. — A Bald Eagle flies over the Mississippi River as the sun rises on Burlington, June 12, 2026.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

Juan F. Sierra Santiago pushes his kids on a tire swing at Riverside Park, June 15, 2026, in Muscatine, Iowa. — Juan F. Sierra Santiago pushes his kids on a tire swing at Riverside Park, June 15, 2026, in Muscatine.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

Tahlor Prado films a TikTok video for her friend Sophie Jo in the fountain at Riverside Park, June 15, 2026, in Muscatine, Iowa. — Tahlor Prado films a TikTok video for her friend Sophie Jo in the fountain at Riverside Park, June 15, 2026, in Muscatine.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

The Norbert F. Beckey Bridge lights up the night, June 15, 2026, in Muscatine, Iowa. — The Norbert F. Beckey Bridge lights up the night, June 15, 2026, in Muscatine.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

The Quad City River Bandits take on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Modern Woodmen Park, June 16, 2026, in Davenport. — The Quad City River Bandits take on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Modern Woodmen Park, June 16, 2026, in Davenport.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

A barge travels up the Mississippi River as the Quad City River Bandits take on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Modern Woodmen Park, June 16, 2026, in Davenport. — A barge travels up the Mississippi River as the Quad City River Bandits take on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Modern Woodmen Park, June 16, 2026, in Davenport.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

Michelle Fisher holds her nephew, Cohen Taylor, 2, as he takes his first boat ride down the Mississippi River on the Channel Cat, June 16, 2026, in Bettendorf, Iowa. — Michelle Fisher holds her nephew, Cohen Taylor, 2, as he takes his first boat ride down the Mississippi River on the Channel Cat, June 16, 2026, in Bettendorf.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

The Channel Cat ferry takes riders between four stops in Iowa and Illinois on the Mississippi River, June 16, 2026. — The Channel Cat ferry takes riders between four stops in Iowa and Illinois on the Mississippi River, June 16, 2026.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

An Egret takes flight in front of the William M. Black, a historic, 20th-century steamboat permanently moored in the Dubuque harbor, June 15, 2026. — An Egret takes flight in front of the William M. Black, a historic, 20th-century steamboat permanently moored in the Dubuque harbor, June 15, 2026.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

A pre-dawn glow turns the sky over Dubuque pink, June 15, 2026. — A pre-dawn glow turns the sky over Dubuque pink, June 15, 2026.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

Kayleese Thoma, a summer naturalist with the Iowa DNR teaches kids about falcons at Bellevue State Park, June 15, 2026, in Bellevue, Iowa. The park is home to a successful population of nesting Peregrine Falcons, which nest on the limestone bluffs of th... — Kayleese Thoma, a summer naturalist with the Iowa DNR teaches kids about falcons at Bellevue State Park, June 15, 2026, in Bellevue, Iowa. The park is home to a successful population of nesting Peregrine Falcons, which nest on the limestone bluffs of the park's Nelson Unit.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

The overlook at Bellevue State Park provides a sweeping view of the Mississippi River, June 15, 2026, in Bellevue, Iowa. — The overlook at Bellevue State Park provides a sweeping view of the Mississippi River, June 15, 2026, in Bellevue, Iowa.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

The Mississippi River seen from Effigy Mounds National Monument in Harpers Ferry Iowa, Oct. 22, 2025. — The Mississippi River seen from Effigy Mounds National Monument in Harpers Ferry, Oct. 22, 2025.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

The sun rises over the Mississippi River at Effigy Mounds National Monument in Harpers Ferry Iowa, Oct. 22, 2025. — The sun rises over the Mississippi River at Effigy Mounds National Monument in Harpers Ferry, Oct. 22, 2025.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register

This report was syndicated from USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.