Geographical Setting
The Mississippi River is the fourth longest river in North America, stretching over 2,320 miles across the continent from its source in northwestern Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. Its watershed drains nearly half of the continental United States and crosses two Canadian provinces. Generally, the Mississippi River is considered the lower half of a two-part river system that includes the Missouri River, which stretches over 2,490 miles from its source in south-central Montana to its confluence with the Mississippi at St. Louis, Missouri.
History and Exploration of the Mississippi
Since ancient times, the Mississippi River has been an important source of transportation and commerce. Several indigenous cultures have relied on the river for subsistence and spiritual purposes. Some have argued that the river had a significant impact on the development of early American society, especially in the Midwest. The novel approaches to travel and economic activity that the river provided allowed for easier access to the west and led to the growth of many cities in the region.
The river was first explored by Europeans in 1673 by Louis Joliet and Father Jacques Marquette in the interests of Canada. During subsequent years, the exploration of the Mississippi was largely driven by the economic interests of Americans, with several famous figures such as Zebulon Pike and Henry Schoolcraft leading expeditions to map the river.
National River
In May 2018, the US Congress declared the Mississippi River an “American National River.” This declaration granted the river Special Recreational, Fisheries and Wildlife Protection status, making it only the fourth National River designated in the United States, after the Missouri and Arkansas rivers. The designation will improve public access to the Mississippi and preserve the river’s natural state, including the maintenance of clean water.
Controversy Over the Mississippi’s Source
Scholars have long debated the origins of the Mississippi River and its exact source, with several rivers and streams clashing for the major contributor of the Mississippi waters. The headwaters of the Mississippi River, or the location in which its main stream begins, has been contended for centuries. The most-accepted answer is that the true source lies at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota, from where the Mississippi starts as a mere trickle of water and steadily grows in size as it makes its way south.
Some, however, contest this answer. For example, Lake Traverse has long been considered by some to be the source of the Mississippi. Similarly, advocates of Lake Minzieze blame a city ordinance that limits the height of Lake Itasca’s water level. These criticisms of the commonly-accepted source of the Mississippi River have been dismissed, however, and Lake Itasca is the source accepted by the US Geological Survey and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Environmental Issues
The massive size of the Mississippi River, particularly in its lower stretches, has drawn increasing attention in recent years over issues relating to water pollution, erosion, and flooding. The decline in water quality and the increase in toxic runoff has been attributed to agricultural runoff, industrial waste and sewage.
The construction of levees and other flood control measures has been a major contributor to the problem, as it has significantly increased the amount of floodplains that can be developed and decreases the effectiveness of the river’s natural sedimentation process. In addition, the operation of many major dams on the river has changed the river’s flow and has been linked to higher levels of flooding, in particular during major water events.
Conservation Efforts
The awareness of ecological concerns has led to several large-scale conservation efforts throughout the Mississippi watershed. Governments, both local and federal, have focused on improving water quality, restoring the floodplains, and reintroducing fish, birds, and other flora and fauna impacted by the river’s changes.
In addition, the US Congress recently passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020, which authorized multi-year projects to improve the Mississippi’s ecosystem, prevent erosion, increase navigation safety, and reduce the risk of flooding. These projects are expected to improve the health of the river and its surrounding environment, as well as support local communities by restoring the river’s public access, fisheries, and tourism potential.
Current Uses
Due to its size, potential for navigation, and its connection to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River remains an important transport thoroughfare for commodities of all kinds. From coal and steel, to oil and grain, the river carries the various materials which fuel the commercial and industrial economies of the Midwest.
In addition, the Mississippi River is used widely for recreational activities, such as fishing and boating, and is widely recognized as one of America’s top sporting fisheries. Its historical and cultural significance has also made it an important destination for tourists, as it has served as a setting for many famous stories, from Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn to the blues music of the Delta region.
Floods and Droughts
Due to its immense size, the Mississippi River is prone to major inundations and droughts. The river’s massive watershed, which covers over 1.2 million square miles, opens it up to major changes in weather and climate. Furthermore, climate change and melting snow from northern headwaters has led to an increase in flooding along the Mississippi.
In recent years, the river has experienced several significant flooding events, most notably in 2011 and 2019, leading to billions of dollars in damages and loss of life. In contrast, a severe three-year drought in the Mississippi River Valley in 1988 caused shipping lines to be shut down and numerous transportation problems, costing the region billions of dollars.
Environmental Challenges Moving Forward
As the climate continues to warm and rainfall patterns become more unpredictable, many of the Mississippi River’s tributaries will be exposed to growing water-related issues. Coastal areas and island countries will become increasingly vulnerable to flooding, and fresh water scarcity problems for rural and urban areas will become more severe.
These changes will all have serious implications for the Mississippi River. Floods, droughts, and erosion will all pose growing environmental challenges, and some also fear that invasive species will take advantage of the changing climate and move further upriver, threatening the river’s fragile ecosystems and their biodiversity.
Conservation Strategies
Given that many of the problems afflicting the Mississippi River and its tributaries are deeply intertwined with larger global environmental issues, protecting the river’s integrity will require conservation strategies on a larger scale. International cooperation among states, countries, and other entities is essential to protect the river’s long-term health.
The International Joint Commission, a U.S.-Canada organization dedicated to preserving the river’s ecosystems, has been pushing for large-scale cooperation regarding the river’s management. This organization, along with the US and Canadian governments, is proposing to introduce multiple, shared conservation policies to help protect the river and its tributaries.
Socio-economic Involvement
The size and scale of the Mississippi River’s watershed exposes it to a broad range of social, economic, and political pressures. Businesses, landowners, public safety agencies, and environmental organizations all share a vested interest in preserving this vital waterway.
In particular, the fishing and recreational industries are heavily reliant on the river’s health and ecological vitality, and numerous public and private organizations are joining forces to protect the Mississippi River’s recreational, economic, and aesthetic values. From grassroot initiatives to influential organizations, myriad groups are dedicating their resources and energy to the preservation of the river.
Critical Infrastructure
The Mississippi River is home to a vast infrastructure network that supports its navigation and trade. Numerous locks and dams have been built to control the river’s flow and make it more navigable. This infrastructure is critical to the area’s economic activity and provides a valuable link between the Midwest and the port cities of the Gulf of Mexico.
Recently, the US Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies have been pushing for the development of an updated infrastructure to support the Mississippi River’s bustling river traffic. There have been indications that funding might be made available to help improve the river’s navigation safety, making it easier and more efficient for boats to traverse the length of the river.
The technology used for navigating the Mississippi River has also been steadily improving in recent years. With the advent of electronic navigation systems such as GPS, the Mississippi’s captains are now able to plot their course with greater precision and accuracy.
Furthermore, the river’s narrow channels and winding path make it difficult to keep track of boats and barges. However, the development of tracking systems such as the Vessel Trafficking Information System (VTIS) has made it easier to monitor the movement of vessels, making navigation safer and reducing the number of congestion-related accidents.
