The Mississippi River is the second longest river in North America, behind the Missouri River. It is a vital artery of American commerce and culture, flowing 2,340 miles long from its source in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Every year the Mississippi River freezes over in parts of its northern course, plunging its icy grip into Illinois and along the borders of Wisconsin and Iowa, but the overall effect of its movement makes it drastically difficult for the Mississippi River to freeze over completely.
The river’s tremendous size and scope are the primary reasons for its lack of reliable ice coverage. Its vastness and fluctuating depth, continuously being filled and depleted from one region to the next, makes it difficult for the ice to become thick enough in all areas of the river. Although the temperatures in the winter can easily dip below the freezing temperature, the movement of the waters help it to stay mostly liquid, promoting the growth of a thin layer of ice here and there.
The incredible amount of current that moves through the water of the river is an additional problem. It prevents thick ice from forming all the way across the Mississippi even in sub-zero temperatures. It is because of this current that the Mississippi will see slight freezing at its edges or along stretches close to shore, but in general, the massive body of water will remain unfrozen.
Located nearby is the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, an area that helps expose visitors to the river’s landmark and geological history. Through their programs, they provide the public with education and resources pertaining the history, biology and environment of the Mississippi, among them are the risks and damages of rising water and flooding. Thousands of visitors each year are able to experience the nature of the river from a safe and natural setting.
Experts regard this lack of ice coverage as a positive. Every river’s freezing affects the environment, and in that regard, the Mississippi has been lucky enough to be graced with the presence of rushing liquid instead of dangerously impassable ice for the better part of its lifetime. As far as the future of the Mississippi River goes, the future looks never more bright. With its great expanse and high population of animal and plant life, many have been calling the Mississippi the “North Star of Rivers” due to its tremendous size and body of cultural, economic and historical wealth.
Overall, the Mississippi River rarely ever freeze over completely. Its immense size, deep ambient water temperatures, and powerful river currents make it difficult for the entire river to freeze up, and so the result is some parts here and there will freeze, but never all the way.
Environmental Impact of the Mississippi River
The environment is impacted immensely by the Mississippi River. For example, the continuous flow of the Mississippi and other associated rivers transport a staggering amount of sediment, pollutants, and debris composed of runoff materials from agricultural, industrial, and urban sources.
Pollutants from urban runoff, agricultural land, and industrial waste, travel down to the Mississippi River, and eventually end up in the Gulf of Mexico. This form of pollution, often contributes to the “dead zone” in the gulf. The dead zone is an area in the gulf where no life can be sustained due to the increased oxygen-depleted water, due to pollution.
The presence of nutrients from agricultural runoff are also responsible for excessive algal growth in the Mississippi River and its associated bodies of water. The algal bloom will limit the presence of oxygen at the bottom of a body of water, and can cause an imbalance in a region’s oxygen-shellfish ratio.
The growth of nitrates is another problem in bodies of water affected by the Mississippi. Along with agricultural nutrients, these nitrates are immensely beneficial for algal growth, and the cause of permanent environmental disruptions.
The Mississippi river brings numerous contaminants, including but not limited to, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and VOCs, as well as microplastics, to its associated bodies of water every year. To avoid further contamination, regular water testing is done, and government-sponsored action plans are being formulated to help mitigate the contamination and reduce its impact.
Economic Impact of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River plays a significant role in the economy of the United States. Transportation is the main economic factor involved with the river. The “Maritime transportation system” is an example of this factor, which implies the significant role played by Mississippi River in the overall U.S economy.
The Mississippi River is a major source of freshwater for 64% of the total US population. In addition to this, it provides fresh water to 40 percent of U.S. farmland, playing a major role in agricultural practices. The river also supports fisheries, businesses, transportation, recreation, and energy. These important economic uses of the Mississippi River have made it a crucial part of the US economy.
The Mississippi River serves as an important source for transportation between many major ports. Freight carriers use barges to transport commodities across the country — commodities such as petroleum, grain, coal, and chemicals. These barges use the river’s natural meandering to get past hazardous currents and shoals on the river.
Big towns situated along the Mississippi River supply the locals with opportunities in retail, hospitality, tourism, and service industry. The proximity to the Mississippi and the services it provides has increased the demand for businesses in the area. The river has been a tremendous help in providing jobs and a thriving economy.
The Mississippi River also provides crucial jobs in the agricultural sector. The region’s soil is some of the most fertile in the US, thanks to the nutrient-rich soil left behind from the river’s natural flooding events. As the soil of the region is very suitable for the growth of crops, the agricultural sector of the towns situated along the Mississippi River boasts a rich and vibrant economy.
Recreational Impact of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River provides multiple recreational opportunities for all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts. It offers several activities such as camping, boating, fishing, bird-watching, and more. People visit from all over the country to experience the beauty of the river.
The Mississippi River is known to host a variety of wildlife, ranging from fish, amphibians, and reptiles, to mammals, and birds. Visitors to the river can observe bald eagles, loons, ospreys, and the American white pelicans among many other species.
Among the recreational activities, three stand out the most: boating, fishing, and camping. Personal boats, canoes, and kayaks are great for navigating through the river, experiencing its many curves and bends, and discovering its various wildlife and brooks. Besides all these activities, the river also supports several camping spots, and it’s a great way to spend quality time, or simply escaping from the city.
As far as fishing goes, the Mississippi River offers a variety of fish species that fishermen at all levels of experience can catch and appreciate. Aside from catfish, crappie, and northern pike, anglers can also catch largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass.
The river also supports a multitude of communities, Native American tribes, and parks along the way. Along its vast length, the Mississippi supports a vibrant environment for all sorts of activities. People visiting the Mississippi River each year get to experience the majestic river in its full glory.
Impact on Pollution and Waste Management
The Mississippi River is home to a large number of different waste management sources, such as paper mills, water treatment plants, and other industrial facilities. Most of the waste generated is from agricultural runoff from farms, which can lead to contaminated runoff that is eventually discharged into the Mississippi River.
Waste management sources that discharge into the Mississippi River are regularly monitored by government agencies in order to maintain the rivers quality. In order to reduce the amount of pollution that finds its way into the river, many industries in the region employ stringent processes and safety protocols to ensure only the cleanest of waste is released.
The main pollutants that make their way into the river are oil and other hydrocarbons, detergents, and agricultural runoff. To combat this, oil has to be treated before it can be discharged, and runoff has to be monitored to ensure it reaches ideal quality standards.
The Mississippi River has an extensive network of wastewater treatment plants that have been installed along it to treat the waste as it flows downstream. The treated wastewater is then safely discharged back into the river, thus reducing the amount of pollutants present.
Overall, the Mississippi River has been successful in reducing the amount of waste that finds its way into the river. The river is regularly monitored to ensure that the level of pollution is kept to a minimum. With the right measures in place, the Mississippi River can remain pollution-free and a safe haven for the wildlife and vegetation it is home to.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River remains a vital artery of the US economy and culture. Even with temperatures dipping below freezing, the immense pressure and current of the Mississippi still prevent it from ever freezing over completely.
The river has a substantial environmental impact, including the transportation of sediment, pollutants, and debris composed of runoff materials that results in water contamination, excessive algal growth, and an increased oxygen-depleted water.
The Mississippi River also contributes to economic use, such as transportation, freshwater access, agriculture, business, and recreational activities. Furthermore, pollution and waste management programs are in place to reduce the levels of contamination in the river.
