The Mississippi River is one of the most iconic and iconic rivers in the United States and beyond, revered for its deep and majestic meanders and its unparalleled beauty. Spanning 2,320 miles, the Mississippi is the second longest river in the United States, draining a total of 41 states. The question at hand is, does the Mississippi River lead to the ocean? The answer, although seemingly simple, is more complex than it appears.
The Mississippi River is widely revered for being the longest river in the United States and eventually emptying into the Gulf of Mexico, however it is important to note that it never actually reaches the Pacific Ocean. The Mississippi runs North to South and ends in the Gulf of Mexico, which is also known as the “Mother of Waters”, members of the Mississippi River Commission affectionately call it this way. The Gulf of Mexico is the second largest body of water which can be found in North America, and is connected to the Caribbean Sea.
The river comprises of a wide variety of habitats, from wetlands to marshes and forests, infusing into the water an array of silt and sediment, providing nutrients for fish and other organisms. It has been said that over one hundred species of fish call the Mississippi River home, making it an impressive and diverse ecosystem. The river has often been used as an important shipping route, providing an outlet for both the export of goods and resources, as well as allowing for the passage of both domestic and international vessels.
The majority of the river’s course is fairly straightforward and contained, this is in contrast to its southern journey which snakes around, meandering though its treacherous floodplain before reaching its final destination. The Louisiana Delta is notable for this, and its mix of freshwater and saltwater has created an interesting and complex environment of lagoons, swamps and estuaries. It is this same delta which eventually leads to the Gulf of Mexico and thus the ocean.
From a scientific perspective, the Mississippi is first and foremost a river, not a tributary and example of this is the river’s confluence. The confluence is where three rivers come together and “confluence”, and in this case, the Illinois and Ohio Rivers meet the Mississippi. The Illinois and Ohio rivers, however, do not lead to the ocean, and instead, both of them merely flow into the Mississippi and dissipate into it, ultimately reaching the ocean via the Gulf of Mexico.
The Mississippi is an integral waterway in the United States and many rely upon it for transport and recreation. From a recreational aspect, the Mississippi and its tributaries are renowned for its canoeing, fishing and boat tours, providing a unique and memorable experience. On the other hand, the river has been heavily utilised by the shipping industry and is considered an important asset in the import and export of both goods and resources.
Management of the Mississippi River
The rivers of the United States are managed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, who have spearheaded the management of rivers in the country for decades. This includes the Mississippi River, who’s levees, control flood waters and maintain navigable sections for recreational and commercial vessels. This management includes not just the navigation of the river’s course, but ecology, conservation and it’s naturally occurring processes. In addition to this, the Corp of Engineers is responsible for maintaining the health and longevity of the river and its tributaries, they do this through artificial modification of the rivers through the means of maintaining levees, dredging the river and diverting it’s course, providing the most benefit for the least environmental affect.
This management serves as a model for many other rivers around the world, who’s engineering staff may use the river as an example to consult and copy. This management, however, is in no way perfect, as it’s a continuous battle between man and nature, conserving and preserving nature whilst balancing the industrial and economic interests of the people who live there.
Impact of the Mississippi River on the Environment
The Mississippi River is a major contributor of carbon dioxide emissions, with agricultural runoff and industrial wastes polluting the water, which in turn feeds downstream into the larger water ecosystems. This runoff, which has been caused humans, has an impact on the ecosystems, both in the river and in the ocean. These can range from nutrient enrichment, increased levels of pollutants and an increase in the turbidity on the bottom of the river.
This overall affects the health of the ecosystem and the life within it, with many organisms struggling to adapt and survive because of the degraded water quality. Plant life suffers due to the change in temperature, nutrients and oxygen, which in turn impact animal life, who rely on that same plant life as a food source. This can potentially cause damage to the food webs as well, by interrupting the balance between predator and prey.
However, the Mississippi can provide a direct benefit to the environment in the form of carbon sequestration, which occurs naturally in many parts of the river. Through this process, aquatic plants store up to 35 percent of their carbon mass in their root systems, which is then channeled into the sediment in the form of sedimentary organic carbon. This sequestration can be beneficial to local communities, as it removes carbon from the atmosphere and reduces the effects of climate change.
Human Interaction with the Mississippi River
Humans have utilised the river for many centuries for various purposes, with the Europeans settling along its banks and beginning the long process of developing agricultural systems. As its importance to the people who lived there continued to grow, the government began to realise the importance of the river and its implementation in influencing trade.
Today, the river has remained a cornerstone of commerce and travel, with goods and resources sent and received via the river. The river has also become a popular tourist destination, with a number of recreational activities available to people as well as boat tours, which provide visitors with an insight into the areas surrounding it. Furthermore, the Mississipi River has also become a symbol of America and its history, showing the development of the country and its succeeding access to the ocean.
Conservation of the Mississippi River
Preserving the Mississippi River and its tributaries is essential for keeping the ecosystem healthy and intact. Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution to conserving rivers, there are various methods to reduce pollution and sedimentation and improve river health. Some of these include improving water management, reducing contaminant runoff, managing and control agricultural practices, as well as reducing wastewater discharges.
The Army Corona of Engineers has played a crucial role in the restoration and conservation of rivers in the United States, and their effort has been recognized internationally. The Corps of Engineers have implemented numerous projects that have achieved the successful protection, preservation and improvement of ecosystems in the United States, while also providing the necessary infrastructure and water supplies for the people and industries in need.
The United States government has also established policies in order to aid in the conservation of the Mississippi, amongst other rivers. Such policies have helped to reduce pollution, particularly across agriculture where the incentive to reduce pesticide and fertilizer runoff has also been implemented. These policies have also helped to improve streamflow and water clarity, while also benefiting aquatic life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Mississippi River is an integral part of the United States and its access to the ocean and the Gulf of Mexico is essential in its ecological, economic, and recreational importance. Preserving the health of the river is an important aspect of the Mississippi management and conservation, with policies and initiatives in place to ensure that it remains a healthy and viable river. The river, albeit traditional and iconic, provides a wealth of opportunity, both to those who live nearby and the world at large and its importance, both tangible and symbolic, should not be overlooked.
