Background Information
The great lakes are some of the largest bodies of fresh water on Earth. They’re comprised of five lakes – Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario – and drain into the St. Lawrence River. The great lakes were formed during the Ice Age, some 12,500 years ago.
The Mississippi River, meanwhile, is the fourth largest river in the world, stretching some 2,350 miles across the central United States. The Mississippi begins in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, and passes through 10 states before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico.
Although they are both major rivers in the United States, the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes are in two different watersheds. The Mississippi River is part of the Gulf of Mexico watershed, while the Great Lakes are part of the Atlantic Ocean watershed. As such, the Mississippi does not connect to the Great Lakes.
How the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Separate
The Great Lakes and the Mississippi River are both located in the United States, but they are divided by the continental divide. The continental divide is a ridge of land that runs from the south-west of Canada, south-east through the US, and ends in the central Gulf of Mexico.
The continental divide divides the surfaces of the North American continent by separating the waters that flow into the Pacific Ocean from the waters that drain in to the Atlantic Ocean. This means that the waters that flow into the Mississippi River must flow towards the Gulf of Mexico and not the Great Lakes.
The Geographical Divide Boundary
The continental divide also serves as a physical boundary between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi Basin. This boundary forms the divide between the Mississippi River watershed and the Great Lakes watershed. The two watersheds are completely separate and run in opposite directions.
The Mississippi River flows south and enters the Gulf of Mexico, while the Great Lakes flow north and empty into the St. Lawrence River which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. This boundary has been a natural barrier for many years, preventing the waters of the two watersheds from mixing.
Man-Made Structures
The division between the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes has been reinforced by man-made structures. For example, the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal was built in 1900 to divert water from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi Basin. The canal runs from Lake Michigan to the Illinois River, which then flows into the Mississippi.
Although the canal does transfer water from one watershed to the other, there is a series of locks and dams that separate the waters. This stops the great lakes water from entering the Mississippi River, thus maintaining the division between the two watersheds.
Economic Dependencies of the Great Lakes and Mississippi Rivers
The two watersheds are not just geographically divided; they also have different economic dependencies. The Great Lakes are essential to the economy of the nearby states, providing a source of freshwater for commercial activities and local communities.
Meanwhile, the Mississippi River serves as a vital shipping route, connecting the industrial centers of the Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi also plays an important role in the American agricultural industry, as it provides essential nutrients to surrounding farmland.
Environmental Protection of the Mississippi River and Great Lakes Basins
The distinction between the two basins also has environmental advantages. Because the two watersheds are separate, any pollutants or contaminants in one basin will not be able to flow into the other. This has been a great help in protecting both the environment and public health.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated both the Great Lakes and Mississippi basins as Water Quality Management Areas. These are areas where the EPA works to protect, restore and maintain water resources.
Long-Term Impact of Keeping the Great Lakes and Mississippi Apart
Keeping the two watersheds separate has been a successful way to maintain the quality and quantity of their water resources. The Great Lakes and Mississippi River are a vital part of the US economy, providing fresh water, transportation, and energy to millions of people.
However, keeping the two watersheds separate can also have an impact on the rest of North America. For example, if the Mississippi River were to suddenly end, or the level of the Great Lakes were to drop, the effects could be felt across the continent.
Instilling a Water Conservation Culture
Given the importance of both the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, it is essential that both watersheds be protected and maintained. One way of doing this is to instill a water-conservation culture among the people that live in and around the two basins.
By teaching people the importance of conserving water, we can ensure that the two basins are kept healthy and that their water resources are preserved for future generations.
Reinforcing the Natural Boundary
As well as instilling a water-conservation culture, it is important to ensure that the natural boundary between the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes is reinforced. This means ensuring that any man-made structures like the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal are maintained to prevent water from flowing between the two basins.
It is also important to monitor the levels of both the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River to ensure that water is not being diverted from one to the other. Doing this will ensure that the two watersheds remain separate and that the water resources in both basins are well protected.
Restoring Important Water Systems
Restoring important water systems, such as the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, is essential for protecting the environment and maintaining a healthy economy. By creating new policies, reinforcing the natural boundary between the two watersheds, and instilling a water-conservation culture, we can ensure that these important resources are preserved for future generations.
Exploring Alternative Water Resources
As the demand for fresh water continues to increase, it is essential to explore alternative water sources to supplement the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. By exploring alternative sources, such as desalination or wastewater reuse, we can ensure that fresh water resources are available to meet the needs of the next generation.
Synthesizing with Other Watersheds
In addition, it is important to consider ways in which the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River can be used in conjunction with other watersheds. This could involve connecting the Great Lakes with other watersheds via pipelines, or synthesizing their nutrient streams for agricultural production.
By exploring these possibilities, we can create a more sustainable and resilient water infrastructure for the future.
Searching for New Solutions
As demand for water continues to increase, it is essential that we search for new solutions to ensure that the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River are protected and preserved. We must continue to look for ways to conserve, manage and protect these two watersheds, while also exploring alternative sources of fresh water.
Only then can we ensure that these important water resources are protected and preserved for years to come.
