Hydroelectric power — or energy from moving water — has been a cornerstone of modern society since the late 19th century. The Mississippi River is no exception, providing clean and renewable energy to various states and cities along its course for nearly 150 years. The river’s unstable and unpredictable nature has made harnessing its energy a challenge, but the payoff has been worth the effort.
Hydroelectric power plants run off of a water supply — generally a lake, an ocean, or a river — and draw energy from it using turbines and generators. The water supply is first funneled through a reservoir, which increases the amount of potential energy available and maintains a consistent stream of water and generation of electricity. This is typically done via a dam, which both controls the rate of flow and locks in the potential energy. As the river flows over this dam, the water pushes against the turbine blades, which in turn spin the generator, producing electricity.
The lower Mississippi River stretches from the Ohio River to the Gulf of Mexico and is widely acknowledged to be potentially powerful enough to generate vast quantities of hydroelectric power. By mid-2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had identified 65 active hydroelectric sites hugging the Mississippi, with an additional 13 either pending relicensing or in the process of being decommissioned.
The severe climactic conditions that occur along the Mississippi River have historically caused it to overflow, flood, and break its banks unpredictably. This, coupled with the steep topography of the Mississippi often proves to be impractical, if not dangerous, for traditional hydroelectric sites. These unique conditions mean that the impact of a given hydroelectric plant can often be greater than simply the energy they generate. On the flip-side, utilizing hydroelectric places unnecessary strain on the environment, particularly with regards to resource consumption and wildlife habitat, so striking the balance between energy gain and environmental stalemate can be tricky, and the majority of hydroelectric dams on the river are operated only in times of need, with just enough to cover the immediate demands.
Hydroelectricity is also typically limited by costs: designing and implementing the technology to contain the water, and occasionally altering the course of the river, effectively render the cost of harvesting energy from the Mississippi to be much higher than that associated with other power sources. However, in recent decades, advances in engineering and sustainability have meant that hydroelectric power generated on the Mississippi can actually be ones of the most cost-effective and reliable forms of electrical power in the region.
The Mississippi’s hydroelectric infrastructure is a powerful tool for any state it passes through, providing much needed benefits — particularly to those in states with high electricity demands — such as steady and robust electricity, protection against grid power outages,and the ability to maintain seasonal production levels. Furthermore, its renewable nature has meant that hydroelectric power has effectively bolstered the global movement towards a greener, cleaner planet.
Historical Impact of Mississippi River Hydroelectric Power
Hydroelectric power has been consistently utilized on the Mississippi River since the 1800s, beginning with a simple grain-powered turbine built by the Olive Branch Milling Company in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Following this successful demonstration, the company — now known as the Yaloz State Hydroelectric Department — created a small system that would make use of the high-energy river to power a single grindstone.
From then on, the industry rocketed forward; the 1920s saw many of the 30-year hydroelectric infrastructure projects that had been put into place during the turn of the century come to fruition, feeding power to many of the Midwest states. This infrastructure boom is credited with revolutionizing the area, driving a huge spike in industrialization, and elevating it to become one of the most heavily-populated areas of the country.
The region’s location close to the gas and oil fields of Arkansas and Texas, as well as its access to the river, made it a prime opportunity for those with the means to make the most of this vast power source. Subsequently, over 30 hydroelectric power plants were built on the Mississippi during the 20th century, significantly increasing the river’s ability to facilitate industrial growth.
In recent years, the Mississippi hydroelectric power industry has fallen somewhat out of favor, its purpose superseded by the production of electricity from more efficient, global sources such as natural gas and coal. Despite this, it still contributes significantly to the US’ current energy mix, with a maximum production capacity of around 17.6 GW.
Implications of Mississippi River Hydroelectric Power
Harnessing the natural energy of the Mississippi River for hydroelectric power has brought about vast changes to America’s infrastructure — something that most of us think little about. Since the first turbine was set in motion in Olive Branch, hydroelectric energy from the Mississippi River has been used to power both homes and businesses, providing vast sums of reliable and affrodable energy and minimizing the need for external sources.
However, this productive relationship has come with its own set of consequences. In order to make full use of the energy produced by hydroelectric power, massive infrastructure projects like dams are often necessary. This has resulted in considerable disruption in a number of local ecosystems, changing the way in which some species inhabit and feed as well as reducing the diversity of aquatic life. Additionally, controlling the natural flow of the river has caused immense harm to the area’s flood defenses, creating an entirely new set of issues.
It is clear that the process of turning the Mississippi River into a reliable and clean source of electricity carries a large number of implications — ranging from environmental to political and beyond — making it a controversial and widely discussed topic. It has been argued by many (especially those within the green energy movement) that the benefits of utilizing this powerful natural resource outweigh the harm, although equally staunch counterarguments exist, painting hydroelectric power as an outdated and inefficient solution.
Financial Implications of Mississippi River Hydroelectric Power
The monetary cost of hydroelectricity is another factor worth considering. It is true that investing in the technology and infrastructure necessary to generate the electricity can be intimidating and can carry significant risk; however, the long-term pay off can be substantial. The cost of producing electricity from the Mississippi River has decreased significantly since its inception, and the cost of energy has steadily increased over the same period. The average home in the US uses around 11,000 kilowatt-hours of energy a year; this means that generously estimating the cost of operation at 5.6 cents per kilowatt-hour, the total cost to power the average home on hydroelectricity from the Mississippi is roughly $625 a year.
To further sweeten the deal, hydroelectric power plants can be relatively easily shared amongst neighboring states, providing a steady and secure supply of energy on demand. Because the Mississippi River runs through multiple states, states, nearby cities can benefit from this advantage by purchasing energy from power plants that have already been constructed,rather than from an external, non-renewable source. This not only reduces cost, but helps with efficiency and time-saving.
In recent years, the cost of hydroelectricity has decreased even further, thanks to government subsidies and various grants provided to energy companies that have helped offset the costs associated with infrastructure and technology. These subsidies have caused the cost of hydroelectricity produced by the Mississippi River to become more appealing and cost-efficient for many businesses and individuals in the area, and has significantly lessened the financial burden associated with such a renewable source of energy.
Environmental Implications of Mississippi River Hydroelectric Power
When considering hydroelectric power on the Mississippi, the main concern that needs to be addressed is the impact that it has on its environment. One of the main sources of concern is the effects of the dams on the river itself. The artificial structure of the dams not only blocks the water’s flow, but has an effect on the local wildlife and ecosystems, altering the habitats of the fish, frogs, and mammals living in and around the area. This, coupled with the potential for the tanks to overflow, can cause substantial damage to the natural environment.
Power plants built on the Mississippi also need to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, placing additional strain on natural resources such as water, and acting as a significant contributor to global warming. However, as technology improves and more efficient mechanisms are devised, these problems are being addressed. Additionally, new regulations and laws that focus on minimizing the impact of hydroelectric power on the delicate ecosystem of the Mississippi River have recently been put into place, and more stringent policies are likely to follow as the issue gains greater awareness.
It is also worth noting that hydroelectricity produces no harmful elements or by-products, significantly reducing the strain on the environment. By comparison, other sources of electricity, such as oil and gas, have higher rates of depletion and are often associated with emissions of toxic materials, endangering both the atmosphere and nearby wildlife. In that light, hydroelectric energy from the Mississippi River can provide many benefits in terms of emissions and energy use, making it one of the greenest and most reliable sources of electricity today.
Regional Implications of Mississippi River Hydroelectric Power
The subsequent regional implications of the use of hydroelectric power on the Mississippi are vast and complex. On one hand, the introduction of such infrastructure brings more jobs and increases local economic opportunities, such as those found in engineering, construction, and transport, while the introduction of steady electricity helps power local cities and towns.
On the other hand, the disruption to existing landscapes and potential resistance to implementation can be huge factors. Uprooting of existing houses and businesses, relocating residents and altering a natural course comes with a huge cost and may warrant serious legal hurdles. Furthermore, sudden shifts in the energy market can have a great financial impact, leading to further disruption and economic instability. This can be especially worrying in the case of developing countries, who are more often than not in situations wherein access to electricity is limited.
It is worth noting that the Mississippi is not the only source for hydroelectric power; numerous other rivers, both in America and around the world can provide the same amount of energy and efficiency. Actual power stations need to be thoughtfully and carefully created and operated, but, if done correctly, hydroelectricity can provide a great opportunity for any region when integrated into a sound energy plan. With more detailed analysis and proper consideration presented to each project, the potential and implications of hydroelectric power on the Mississippi River can be fully realized.
