Origin and history of the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a group of interconnected freshwater lakes located in eastern North America and have an immense history relating to the Mississippi watershed. These large lakes are in close proximity to each other and are considered to be the largest freshwater system in the world. In total, the Great Lakes contain 21% of the world’s surface fresh water. They were formed by receding glaciers and form a border between the United States and Canada spanning a total of 8,300-300 miles.
These large lakes were created by glaciers over 11,000 years ago, and were then shaped by the Northwestern Glacial Lake Bed. The Great Lakes were formed by the same receding glaciers, and come together to create the Mississippi watershed. Prior to being known as the Great Lakes, they were previously named by the French in 1660 as ‘The Five Great Lakes’, and were later changed to the current name “The Great Lakes” by British cartographer John Mitchell in 1755. While the British originally laid claim to the contested land surrounding the lakes, the land eventually became unfairly divided in the 1700s and early 1800s during the War of 1812.
Do the Great Lakes flow into the Mississippi River?
The Great Lakes may not necessarily flow directly into the Mississippi River but the most important lake, Lake Michigan does interact with the Mississippi watershed. Although none of the Great Lakes flow directly into the Mississippi River, all the water from the Great Lakes eventually flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The water from the Great Lakes officially enters the Mississippi watershed via Lake Michigan and is carried southward and away from the other lakes by means of the Chicago River, thus eventually making its way into the Gulf of Mexico.
Lake Michigan is a large lake and is the only Great Lake connected to the Mississippi River via the Chicago River, which flows 319 miles before entering the Des Plaines River in Illinois. Consequently, that river is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. It is important to note, though, that even though the water from the other Great Lakes eventually ends up in the Gulf of Mexico, it does not flow concurrently with the Chicago River and make its way into the Mississippi River.
The connection between these two bodies of water is established through a process called hydrological connectivity, which occurs when the flow of water in the region is connected by linking the waters of the Lake Michigan to the Chicago River, and that river to the Des Plaines River. Consequently, the hydrologic connectivity between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi is based on the presence of the Chicago River and its connection to the Des Plaines and Mississippi Rivers.
How do the Great Lakes affect the volume and water quality of the Mississippi?
The Great Lakes have a major impact on the overall volume of water present in the Mississippi River. The Great Lakes stores a large amount of water which can help to sustain the river during periods of drought. This is especially important for agriculture and commerce within the region. Additionally, the Great Lakes also influences the quality of water that ends up traveling down the Mississippi, as they act as natural containers and retainers of sediment, preventing water pollution that would impact the downstream water quality of the Mississippi River.
The chemical runoff from urban and agricultural lands that drain into the Great Lakes is filtered before it reaches the Mississippi River, providing some additional layer of protection for the Mississippi. This runoff, if not filtered, can cause immense damage downstream such as water pollution, loss of biodiversity, and can pose substantial threats to human health.
How have the Great Lakes and the Mississippi been managed?
The management of both the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River have been subject to several regulations over the past few centuries. In the early 19th century, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency formed the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in 1972 to reduce the threats posed to the environment by pollutants released into the Great Lakes.
Since then, the Great Lakes and their tributaries have seen substantial investments to protect and sustain their health. This is especially true of the Chicago River, which has been engineered with locks and canals to allow vessels from Lake Michigan to navigate down the Illinois River and other tributaries of the Mississippi. Additionally, rigorous monitoring has been implemented for wetland and waterway management to ensure their health.
Environmental degradation and its effects.
Despite the efforts of governments and agencies to protect and manage the Great Lakes and Mississippi River, both are under serious threat due to environmental degradation. Pollution, overfishing, and climate change are threatening water quality, biodiversity, and the entire aquatic system. This has negative implications for humans in the region, and beyond, who rely on the waterways for their livelihoods and daily needs.
Pollution generated by urban and agricultural runoff such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and mercury has caused algal blooms, which discourage fish and other aquatic life, deplete oxygen levels, and reduce the clarity of the water. Climate change is also a major issue, as rising temperatures and increased levels of carbon dioxide and other pollutants can damage the health of the Great Lakes and disturb the water’s ecosystem.
Overfishing is another factor and has caused a drastic decrease in fish populations and other aquatic life. This problem is posed by both commercial and recreational fishing, as well as illegal fishing activities. The decrease in populations of Great Lakes’ fish has a direct effect downstream on fish species dependent on the Mississippi River, such as the paddlefish.
Balancing preservation and development
The need to preserve and protect the Great Lakes while also allowing for the development of industry and infrastructure has been a balancing act. Environmentalists argue that there is a need to regulate human activity and industry as some of these activities can have serious implications for aquatic life. On the other hand, corporate entities argue that the regulation of industry is necessary for economic growth in the region.
The Great Lakes are a vital part of both the U.S. and Canada and it is the responsibility of both countries to ensure the health of these Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Decisions concerning the management and balance between preservation and development are necessary, and should take into account various stakeholders such as manufacturers and environmentalists.
It is important to note that the health of the Great Lakes does not just affect the U.S. and Canada but much of the world. The Great Lakes are globally important, and their health should be treated with the utmost concern.
Sustainability of the waterways
The Great Lakes and the Mississippi River are essential for the sustainability of the region, as well as the entire world. Both must be protected and cared for properly in order to avoid drastic consequences. The U.S. and Canada must cooperate and support each other while also recognizing the consequences of human activities within the region.
One way of doing so is through the implementation of sustainable practices-such as reducing the impacts of urban and agricultural runoff- in the region. Additionally, more rigorous regulations must be put in place to ensure that aggressive fishing practices are prohibited, water pollution is reduced and that climate change is addressed.
Furthermore, investments in infrastructure should also be increased, with the goal of preserving wetlands and other natural elements of the region. The Great Lakes are a precious resource and must be protected for future generations.
Technology, conservation and research
The use of technology and conservation have been essential in helping address the health of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. Monitoring and data collection have been improved in the past few decades, providing researchers with valuable insights. Additionally, technological advances have allowed the use of drones and other technologies to find and identify pollution. Conservation efforts have also been used in the region, such as restocking fish, restoring wetlands, and more. These efforts have been a major help in protecting and sustaining the life of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi.
Finally, research into both regions has been facilitated in recent years by institutions such as the Great Lakes Commission and the International Joint Commission. These organizations are responsible for the research and management of both the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Their work promotes the sustainable use of both bodies of water, while also helping to protect the ecosystems and aquatic life that depend on them.
Conclusion
The Great Lakes and the Mississippi River are both vitally important waterways for the region and the world. The Great Lakes have an immense history with the Mississippi watershed, and an official connection is established through Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. Despite the efforts to protect and manage these vital waters, both are under serious threat due to environmental degradation and irresponsible human actions. Therefore, governments and agencies around the world must come together to protect these critical waterways and ensure the sustainability of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River for future generations.
