Introduction
Are the Great Lakes connected to the Mississippi River? This captivating question has been asked by many, and the answer is not as simple as it may seem. When considering the Great Lakes, one must consider its immense size, its ecosystem, its waters, and its origin. Similarly, when examining the Mississippi River, the same must be explored in order to understand any connection. To best answer this question, discussing the origins, size, and water exchange can help to give proper context.
Size of the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth, which span more than 750 miles and contain 6 quadrillion gallons of water. These five lakes – Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario – cover an area of about 94,000 square miles, making it about the size of the state of New York. Combined, the Great Lakes make up almost 20% of the world’s surface fresh water.
Origins of the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are thought to have been created by the Wisconsin glaciation, a series of glacial ice sheets that advanced and retreated over North America for tens of thousands of years. While the Great Lakes did not directly connect to the Mississippi River before the glaciers formed, the glacial activity changed the landscape considerably, forming the current network of the Great Lakes and connecting waterways.
Size of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the fourth longest river in the world, stretching over 2,320 miles from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. Starting near the headwaters of the Mississippi, the river is exceptionally wide, sometimes more than 3 miles across, and has more than a million square miles of usable drainage area.
Origins of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River originates in Lake Itasca, which is located in northwestern Minnesota, and is part of the Missouri-Mississippi River system, the third longest river system in the world. It is fed by smaller tributaries, such as the Missouri and Red Rivers, and is the main outlet from the Great Lakes via the Illinois Waterway.
Water Exchange between the Great Lakes and Mississippi Rivers
Though the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River are not connected in the traditional sense, there is an exchange of water between them. When water levels rise or fall in the Great Lakes, it causes changes in the Mississippi River levels. This is because the Mississippi River receives water from the Great Lakes, which means that when the water levels in the Great Lakes rise, it causes water levels in the Mississippi River to rise as well.
Effects of Water Exchange
This exchange of water has had considerable impacts on the environment and ecosystems of both the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. For example, the water exchange has caused an influx of nutrients, leading to an increase in aquatic life. This has provided additional food sources for migratory bird species, while also causing an increase in pest species. Additionally, increased water levels in the Mississippi River has caused flooding in some areas, severely damaging homes, businesses, and man-made infrastructure.
Management of Great Lakes-Mississippi River Water Exchange
In order to manage the water exchange between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, several policies and practices have been implemented. For example, in order to reduce flooding, the Army Corps of Engineers has constructed hundreds of levees, dams, and other structures along the river to control the flow of water. Additionally, regional water quality programs have been established to monitor and improve the quality of both the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River.
Implications of Water Exchange
The water exchange between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River has had far-reaching consequences, both positive and negative. While the influx of nutrients has led to an increase in aquatic life, it has also caused pollutant accumulation in some areas. Additionally, the changes in water levels caused by the water exchange have disturbed some of the delicate ecosystems in both regions, leading to the decline of certain species.
Conclusion
Though the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River are not directly connected, there is an active exchange of water between them. This exchange has raised many issues, from increased flooding to species decline. By implementing a variety of measures, governments and organizations have been able to mitigate the effects of the water exchange, while still allowing for some of the positive impacts to take place.
