The mistake one might make when shortly summarizing the relationship of Mississippi and Arkansas is missing out on a vast history spanning over 300 years. It was the French explorer La Salle that first mapped out the course of the Mississippi River in 1682. After American settlers cleared away the Indians in the early 19th century, large plantations along the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers blossomed. Before the Civil War broke out, the river had become the primary waterway for America’s internal trade. Undoubtedly, Mississippi River was at the heart of early Arkansas History.
But one may ask—does the River run through Arkansas?
The answer is yes—although it is only a pocket of the mighty Mississippi which borders the Eastern part of the state. This part of the river, referred to as the Lower Mississippi River Valley, extends from Cairo, Illinois, in the north, to the confluence with the Gulf of Mexico in the south. When exploring it, you can witness multiple tributaries such as the Yazoo, Arkansas, St. Francis, and White Rivers. Historically, these rivers were key to transporting goods from port to port, as the main means of transportation in those times.
Today, the Mississippi River serves as a crucial part in Arkansas’s as well as American infrastructure. As argued by National Park Service’s report, the river is a valuable resource of water, transportation, tourism, and recreation. Thanks to Marine highway operations, domestic cargo ships can travel to Arkansas from the coasts without detracting from other transportation uses such as truck and railway.
At the time of modern-day Arkansas, the economic and recreational value of the Mississippi River has been constantly growing. According to Arkansas Water Resources Center, the river has driven the local industries, port business and plethora of public facilities where citizens can participate in recreational activities. The fact that over 40 percent of total fisheries production in Arkansas comes from the Mississippi River is just one of the pieces of evidence, showing the importance of the Mississippi River in Arkansas.
Nevertheless, it would be wrong to assume that no challenges come with the productive usage of the river. The effects of the human-driven activities, such as agriculture, often cause water quality degradation in the Mississippi River. Moreover, levees and dams, constructed in order to reduce flooding, disturb the natural order of species migrations and spawning, thus making the river less attractive for sport fishing. These problems combined with the effects of climate change, such as melting glaciers, rising temperatures, and sea-level risings, act as a potential barrier for safe and secure future.
Restoration Efforts
One of the most notable and gradual restoration projects is the Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee. This organization, established in 1990, coordinates a wide range of conservation initiatives along many miles of the Arkansas bank of the Mississippi River. Their goal is to provide environmental assistance, public education, and encouraging restoration efforts made by state and federal sources. Oklahoma’s part in this project is impressive—by continuously providing dozens of thousands of dollars for the preservation, Oklahoma is investing vast resources in order to make the Arkansas section of the Mississippi River year-round safe and attractive.
Conclusion
It has been nearly 250 years since La Salle navigated the Mississippi River and Arkansas was the first state to meet his path. Since then, people, who captivated and turned it from distant dreams into reality, managed to turn the river into the powerful force that it is today, playing an essential role in Arkansas’s economy and giving opportunities for recreation, trade and transport to millions of people. While the river faces certain problems, its value can never be underestimated.
Will Climate Change Impact the Mississippi River?
Climate change, resulting from human activities such as burning of fossil fuels, will affect the Mississippi River in numerous ways. As the average global temperature rises, ice caps in northern parts of the US are melting, leading to more water entering the river. Also, strong rainfalls and heavy snowfalls will start to occur more often, causing rapid runoff and flooding. Furthermore, the warmer months of the year will further intensify the process of evaporation. All of this will have severe consequences on the river’s flow-rate, water quality and eventually, the land around it.
December Great Mississippi River Clean-Up
The annual Mississippi River clean-up happens every December, in order to restore the health of the river and its adjoining banks. From Little Rock to New Orleans, volunteers from different states join forces to remove unwanted debris, recyclables and toxins from a certain area of the river annually. With over 35 tons of dirt removed from the Mississippi River since 1989, the clean-up has been a success. It was estimated that in 2017, a total of 3.8 million pounds of garbage had been removed due to this effort.
Water Quality
Most of the factories and mills that existed long ago along Arkansas are still contributing to the water pollution of the Mississippi. Meanwhile, sewage and urban runoff that come from rural land development and farming activities which still go on, are also major causes of pollutants in the river. Major pollutants that are found in the Mississippi River, according to a study from the Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee, include nitrogen, phosphorous and fecal coliform bacteria. These pollutants quickly cause water quality issues, leading to algae blooms and a decrease in fish and other aquatic life.
Economical Impact
The Mississippi River is the source of a massive array of jobs in both Arkansas and the entire nation. Ranging from public transportation, tourism, and agriculture, the Mississippi River supports a variety of industries and trade. In Arkansas, the River is also heavily used for barge and recreational activities, maintenance and repair of its levees, ports and fish production. As far as the economy is concerned, it is the low cost of the transportation and other services provided by the Mississippi River that makes it so important in the region.
Conclusion
Without question, the Mississippi River plays an important part in the lives of many people in Arkansas. From providing important resources to driving the economy and providing leisure opportunities, it is essential to preserve and protect the Mississippi River in Arkansas for future generations. While the challenges faced by the River and its environment are real and must be faced, the potential benefits of the Mississippi River remain unrivaled, and still largely untapped.
