Description of Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers
The Arkansas and Mississippi rivers are both major river systems due to the large amount of water that flows through them. Each of these rivers has its own unique characteristics, with the Arkansas River being the longest tributary of the Mississippi and providing more than 30% of its flow. The Arkansas River travels 1,469 miles of the entire length and starts in the Rockies of central Colorado before merging into the Mississippi at the historic border of Arkansas and Mississippi. The majestic Mississippi, on the other hand, is one of the world’s longest and most influential rivers, forming the nation’s largest watershed. It flows a total of 2,340 miles and is considered the fourth longest river in the USA, all of which starts in the northern, remote parts of Minnesota. Both of these rivers are essential to the culture and history of their respective states, supplying many towns and farms with drinking water, irrigation, and transportation for goods, making them vital life-giving resources.
Relationship Between Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers
The connection between the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers is one that has existed for centuries and played a major role in the development and economy of the surrounding states. The Arkansas River, being a tributary of the Mississippi River, is the primary source of water for the greater Mississippi and provides more than 30% of its flow, giving life to the many living organisms that depend on the river for water and nutrients. The Arkansas River travels 1,469 miles before it flows into the Mississippi in the city of Arkansas City, Arkansas. The mouth of the river is turbulent, with a mix of sediment and natural debris brought down by the river, making it especially dangerous for pleasure boats and fishermen. Nevertheless, the combination of these two rivers serves as a gateway to the West, creating opportunities for transportation and trade, resulting in significant historical and economic development.
Environmental and Social Benefits of Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers
The Arkansas and Mississippi rivers provide numerous social, economic and environmental benefits to the local communities. These two rivers are a source of subsistence and recreational fishing for many Native American tribes, offering livelihoods and providing a source of food to thousands of people. Additionally, both rivers have supported the development of many towns, providing transportation for goods, irrigation for agriculture and drinking water for many households. Moreover, these rivers are also full of natural beauty, hosting a wide range of wildlife and vegetation. This includes numerous fish, amphibians and reptiles, as well as rare species such as the American alligator, which rely on the rivers for food and habitat. Lastly, the rivers have supported recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing, bringing in tourism to the local economy.
Impact of Climate Change on Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers
With climate change, the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers are undergoing drastic changes as a result of increased precipitation patterns, rising temperatures, and shifting river flows. As temperatures warm due to climate change, the melting of ice caps and mountain snow has begun to increase the amount of water that enters the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers. This has increased flooding risks, with the most affected areas being the lower third of the Mississippi River where it meets with the Arkansas. The high rains, combined with drought and excessive irrigation have caused severe water shortages of the Mississippi. This drastically reduces water supplies to nearby farmers, businesses and communities, straining an already fragile economic balance.
Human Activity Impacts on the River Management
Humans have had a significant impact on the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers, especially through activities such as piping, dams, and channeling. These activities disrupt the natural flow of the rivers and can reduce natural water quality. For example, dams block the passage of fish, stopping them from migrating, while piping and channeling disrupts the natural gradient of the rivers, reducing the amount of oxygen available for aquatic life. This can lead to a decrease in the variety of life along the river and water degradation. Furthermore, human activities on land is also having an impact on the river, with increased agricultural activities leading to excessive fertilizer use, excess soil runoff, and pesticides entering the river, creating eutrophication.
The Role of Conservation Organisations in Protecting Rivers
Organisations around the world are rising to the challenge of protecting the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers, such as the National Wildlife Federation and World Wildlife Fund. These non-profit organisations are dedicated to improving the health and sustainability of these two rivers, raising awareness and funds for their conservation. Their efforts center around the protection and restoration of natural habitats and the promotion of sustainable practices to ensure the balance of the river’s ecosystems. Additionally, they encourage the local communities to be more aware and to participate in their programs and campaigns, such as clean-up events, promoting sustainable practices and raising funds for research and monitoring of the rivers.
Policy Actions to Sustain Rivers and Waterways
To preserve the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers and their delicate balance of natural systems, governments in the USA have adopted different policies and laws that focus on the restoration and protection of the rivers. This includes implementing fishing regulations, wetland protection, water quality standards, and coastal management strategies. Through these strategies, governments aim to reduce negative impacts from activities such as farming, pollution, oil drilling, and water abstraction. Examples of government regulation include the Mississippi River Basin Water Management Law, which aims to protect the rivers from pollution, over-fishing and unsustainable activity, and the Clean Water Act which works to prevent pollutants from entering the rivers.
Investments in Sustainable Water Solutions
To ensure sustainable water solutions, many organizations and companies are investing in technologies which promote efficient water use. This includes investing in various water treatment systems and advanced irrigation methods, such as zero-tillage irrigation systems, which use less water and reduce the need for artificial fertilizers. Companies such as Microsoft and Apple have invested in these technologies to reduce water consumption in their production processes. In addition, many organizations are providing grants and funding to research programs to find innovative solutions that can help improve water management.
Dredging of Mississippi-Arkansas System of Rivers
The constant flow of sediment and natural debris from the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers has caused the waterway system to be increasingly shallow and less navigable. To prevent the disruption of boat traffic, alleviate the environmental impacts and restore the rivers, governments have begun to dredge the rivers. Through the dredging process, rocks, sand, and silt are removed from the bottom of the river, and are then recycled as fill material for other sites. This helps maintain the navigability of the waterways and also helps to protect the environmental habitats. Additionally, it helps to reduce the river’s alterations due to urban sprawl, agricultural run-off and infrastructure development.
Reconnecting and Conserving Rivers
Organizations such as the Nature Conservancy and American Rivers have been working on initiatives to reconnect rivers to their floodplains, a process known as ‘river restoration’. This process restores natural habitats, improves water quality and helps to protect against flooding and climate change. One example of this is the Nature Conservancy’s Mississippi River Delta Restoration Project, which aimed to reconcile the conflict between nature and industry by restoring the flow of sediment to nourish the delta and build land. Additionally, governments are also investing in conservation and green infrastructure projects, such as the implementation of riparian buffers and the restoration of wetlands and coastal shorelines, which help to protect vulnerable species and prevent further degradation of the rivers.
Monitoring and Research of Rivers
Organizations such as the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are conducting regular monitoring and research of the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers. Through the USGS monitoring, the vital signs of the rivers are measured, including flow rate, water quality, temperature, and sediment levels. This helps to identify potential problems, detect changes in water conditions, and also evaluate the possible effects of human activity and climate change on river ecosystems. Additionally, the EPA has conducted studies to assess the level of pollutants and contamination in the rivers. This helps to identify potential sources of pollution and inform governments of the types of measures that must be taken to protect the rivers from become more polluted.
