How did the locations of the cities of new orleans, cincinnati, and st. louis cause them to grow

The Mississippi, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, and other rivers knit together the American nation over the course of a century. In an era before widespread highways and railroads, the farms and industries of the Midwest poured their goods downriver to markets around the world. The boomtowns of the century—New Orleans, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and many others—thrived and grew on this waterborne commerce. Waterways were so valuable that the nation began building them. The Erie Canal was one.

Because of their close access to water.

They were able to make trades faster without land travel that was very far that many other cites had to do to get goods.

I'm not sure if this is right but that is my best guess