The Mississippi River is the largest river system in the United States, originating in the Lake Itasca area in northern Minnesota and running through Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Orleans, and eventually joining the Gulf of Mexico. It forms the primary drainage for about 31 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. However, does it actually touch the state of Wisconsin?
The short answer is Yes. The Mississippi River is the western border of Wisconsin, meaning it is technically in the state. But, the river itself does not directly pass through any of Wisconsin’s cities or towns. Some travelers might mistake the St. Croix and Wisconsin rivers for being a part of the Mississippi River system, but they are not; they are completely separate rivers.
According to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, one of the largest vestiges of the past evolution of the Mississippi River is located in Wisconsin. Known as Cox Hollow, this site consists of a large oxbow lake with high banks on both sides. The lake is located approximately one mile from the Mississippi River’s current flow and is maintained as a state wildlife refuge.
Additionally, the various watersheds that contribute to the Mississippi River’s flow contain a large proportion of Wisconsin’s land area. Wisconsin is a major contributor in the upper Mississippi River basin, as it contains a large network of wetlands, rivers, and streams that flow into the Mississippi.
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is one of the premier river ecosystems in the world. The refuge, which is part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, is an integral part of the Mississippi River. Established by Congress in 1924, the refuge includes a wide variety of habitats that support more than 300 varieties of birds and fish.
Waterside Cities and Communities in Wisconsin
The Mississippi River passes through a handful of Wisconsin cities, such as La Crosse, Prairie du Chien, and Genoa. More than 400,000 people currently live along the 250+ miles of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin, in both large urban areas and small towns.
The main benefit of the Mississippi River for Wisconsin is that it creates fertile soils for growing crops. And with the large population of residents living along it, there is also great potential for economic development in the form of tourism, recreational activities, and other businesses.
Wisconsin’s portion of the Mississippi River is home to many native species of fish, mammals, and birds. The river provides important habitat for these species and a wide variety of recreational opportunities to anglers, boaters, and bird watchers. It is also one of the few sources of clean water in the state.
Environmental Challenges
Many of the issues that face the Mississippi River have been brought about by humans. Pollution is one of the major concerns, as the river’s water has been used to dispose of wastewater, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff.
The decline in water quality has had a detrimental effect on the fish and wildlife that depend on it, with fish populations declining, and water-borne illnesses on the rise. Additionally, the construction of dams and levees along the river has hurt the river’s natural flow and upset the delicate balance of its ecosystem.
Some of the major environmental issues facing the Mississippi River are climate change, sedimentation, and agricultural runoff. Climate change is causing the river to experience seasonal flooding and drought, which disrupts the balance of the river’s natural habitats. Sedimentation occurs when runoff carries soil and sediment into the river, contributing to the decline of water quality and creating poor fish breeding grounds. And agricultural runoff is a major contributor to water pollution, as fertilizers and pesticides used on farms run off into the river.
Efforts to Restore the Mississippi River
In the last few decades, many efforts have been made to restore the health of the Mississippi River, such as the Mississippi River Capital Projects and the Water Resource Management Plans. These plans aim to reduce pollution, create resilient wetlands, and assess the impacts of resource management activities on the environment.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, as well as other federal and state agencies, have been actively working towards restoring the river’s environment. They are working to protect the land within and surrounding the river, as well as creating educational programs to help people better understand the importance of the Mississippi River, and the need to protect it.
The Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative, or MRBI, is one of the most successful restoration programs. The program focuses on reducing nutrient pollution, restoring wetlands, and managing water resources sustainably. The goal of the program is to restore and protect the river’s water quality so that it can continue to sustain the species and economies that depend on it.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River, despite not passing directly through or in Wisconsin, still contains tremendous influence in the state as revealed by the Cox Hollow landmark and land in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Its impact to the state are mostly positive, fostering economic development, providing habitation for species, and offering recreational activities. However, the river’s water system has taken a toll in recent decades and requires watchful perspective from the people living in the area and the initiatives and efforts of various organizational and governmental bodies.
