Main Topic: Does Mississippi River have Exterior Drainage?
The Mississippi River is home to a variety of spectacular wildlife species. In the American Midwest, it flows from the Rocky Mountains of Minnesota to the coast of Louisiana in Louisiana. As the fourth-longest river in the United States, it is considered a river of national importance. One question often asked by both environmentalists and tourism operators is: Does Mississippi River have exterior drainage? To answer this, let’s look at how the river functions.
The Mississippi River, as a source of fresh water, is nearly completely self-contained. More than 95% of the water that enters the river stays within the system. As the river flows along its meandering course, the water evaporates, ships transport water away, and some of the river water seeps into the groundwater. Drainage to any other sources is minimal and in this way, the river is largely self-contained.
The most noticeable external drainage is to the Gulf of Mexico. About 5% of the Mississippi River waters end up in the Gulf of Mexico, having traveled approximately 1800 miles from the river’s headwaters to the shore. This water flow helps to sustain the Gulf’s wetlands and create the salinity balance the Gulf needs. Without this drainage, the wetlands would not be able to sustain its animal and plant life.
Though there is minimal external drainage of the Mississippi River, water does leave the system through underground drainage. This phenomenon is known as “groundwater outflow” and is a result of the fractured rock that makes up the permeable base of the river valley. In a study done in 1992, the total outflow of groundwater from the Mississippi River was calculated to be around 7%, with an approximate 5:3 ratio of groundwater outflows in Minnesota and Wisconsin compared to those in South Dakota, Iowa, and Louisiana.
The Mississippi River is also impacted by how water is used within the region. Farms, towns, factories, and cities all draw water from the river which impacts the total water in the system. Roughly 20 trillion gallons of water is consumed each year from the Mississippi River for irrigation, industry, and drinking as far away as East Texas. This large consumption of water directly impacts the Mississippi River and its outflow.
Impact of Climate Change on the Mississippi River
The changing climate is having a direct impact on the Mississippi River. Because of hotter temperatures, the amount of ground and surface water available is decreasing which affects the river’s outflow. Drought is becoming a persistent issue for the Mississippi River watershed and these conditions are projected to worsen. For example, droughts in the upper Midwest region are projected to increase significantly in the future.
Climate change is also having an effect on the river’s ecology. Warmer temperatures result in a decrease in water oxygen levels, which can be deadly to many fish and animal species. In addition, the increased amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing more acidic waters in the Mississippi River.
In response to these changes, organizations and communities have formed in efforts to protect and monitor the river and its various ecosystems. These organizations are tasked with the missions to provide an education on environmental stewardship, advocacy for local waterways and policy initiatives, and to build river health plans that take into account the potential impacts of climate change.
What Does the Future Hold for the Mississippi River?
As the Mississippi River continues to be affected by climate change, organizations and residents of the region have had to come up with creative solutions for the protection of the river’s future. Those living in the area have started to use the power of technology to innovate the way local waterways are managed. For example, low-cost sensors have been implemented to monitor the river system in a more reliable and accurate way.
In addition, various organizations are working collaboratively to better protect the Mississippi River and its tributaries. This includes developing strategies to conserve water usage and to stop pollution as much as possible. As a result, there have been improvements in the water quality in some areas, as well as a decrease in the number of pollutants entering the river.
Though the future of the Mississippi River’s external drainage is uncertain, organizations that are dedicated to its protection are determined to do everything they can to keep the river flourishing. Improvement projects, investments in research, and partnerships between scientists and volunteers will be key in order to secure the health and vitality of the Mississippi River.
Water Quality Trends in the Mississippi River
Water quality has historically been an issue for the Mississippi River. Pollutants being entering the river system, along with other contaminants, are not only impacting the health of the river but also of the people living in the region. These pollutants can cause serious health issues, as well as disrupt the river’s ecosystems. Fortunately, over the last few decades, there has been some progress made in improving water quality in the Mississippi River.
Studies have shown that the levels of nitrate from agricultural sources and phosphorus from urban sources have decreased since 1990. In addition, industrial pollutants have also been reduced since 2000, which has helped the health of the river. While there is still substantial work to be done in improving water quality, the evidence shows that efforts to reduce pollution are making a difference.
River Conservation Efforts
The Mississippi River is home to numerous species of fish and wildlife and consequently, conservation efforts are of great importance. There are a variety of efforts being put in place by organizations and local communities in order to protect the river’s resources. Government-sponsored programs have been put in place that offer grants and other resources to individuals in efforts to restore the river’s habitats and waterways.
These programs are often focused on riparian zone management and wetland restoration. These management techniques involve restoring a portion of the ecosystems by restoring vegetation, as well as controlling animal predation and invasive species removal. These efforts can help to restore the health of a degraded area, such as streambanks, marshes and shorelines.
In addition, education efforts are being embraced in order to teach younger generations about the importance of the Mississippi River. By teaching the next generation about the importance of the river, it is hoped that a future with a stronger, healthier Mississippi River is achievable.
The Preservation of Mississippi River Wildlife
The Mississippi River supports a wide range of species and is an important habitat for many of the wild animals that inhabit its shoreline. The protection of wildlife is of the utmost importance in order to ensure the health of the river and its ecosystems. There are a number of efforts in place to protect vulnerable species, including the restoration of habitats and wetlands.
One of the main threats to the wildlife of the Mississippi River are the invasive species that have been introduced to the waters. Invasive species have been known to outcompete native species for resources, disturb the balance of natural ecosystems, and increase human health risks. To combat this, organizations are engaging in awareness campaigns to educate the public about the impact of introducing invasive species to the Mississippi River.
In addition, laws have been enacted that limit the use of some of the most dangerous chemicals in the Mississippi River watershed. In particular, laws have been put in place to protect birds of prey, birds that feed near the river, as well as fish and amphibians. These laws, combined with other conservation efforts, help to keep the river and its wildlife safe and healthy.
Role of Water Management in Protecting the Mississippi River
Water management is an important part of preserving the Mississippi River. To reduce water usage, the government has imposed certain regulations on how much water can be used by industrial and domestic interests. In addition, local governments have put restrictions in place on the water usage for irrigation, such as forcing farmers to adopt irrigation techniques that are more efficient.
Many communities have also implemented incentives to reduce water usage, such as offering rebates for water-efficient appliances and systems. In addition, wetland protection laws are in place to protect the remaining natural areas from potential development or pollution. These laws help to preserve the watershed of the Mississippi River and its tributaries, as well as protect these environmental resources for the future.
A major part of managing the Mississippi River’s resources is understanding the role of the watershed. By understanding the watershed, states and communities can develop policies and management strategies that will help to protect the health of the river over the long term. Organizations such as the Mississippi River Alliance are working to bring people, communities, and policy makers together in order to both conserve the river’s resources and find solutions to better manage the river in the face of climate change and other environmental issues.
