The Confluence of the Mississippi and Memphis
To ask “Does the Mississippi River run through Memphis?” is to ask if one landmark of the American South is part of the other. The Mississippi River is of course a well-known element of the geography of the South, and Memphis is as iconic an American city as any – but do they intersect? This article seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the relationship between the Mississippi and the city of Memphis.
The Mississippi flows for over 2,000 miles, from its source at Lake Itasca in Minnesota to its delta at the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, it passes through more than ten U.S. states, from its northern tip to its southeastern edge. Memphis is situated in the far southwestern corner of Tennessee – not far from the Mississippi border with Arkansas and Mississippi. Memphis is built on the banks of the Wolf and Mississippi Rivers, themselves members of the Mississippi River system.
It is easy to see, therefore, that the Mississippi does indeed pass through Memphis. It has done so for centuries, since ancient Native American tribes formed their settlements in the area and well before the city was founded in 1819. When Colonel John Overton, James Winchester and Andrew Jackson developed settlements along the Mississippi which would eventually constitute the city of Memphis, they were connecting with a river already centuries old.
When the city began to flourish commercially and culturally as a center of transportation and trade, the importance of its relationship with the Mississippi only grew greater. As the population of Memphis grew, the river’s value as a transport highway only deepened. The river provided an easy means of conveying goods from the newly-constructed railroads in and around the city, and made commerce with other cities and towns along the Mississippi possible.
Today, the Memphis skyline and the Mississippi River still work in symbiosis. The river provides encouragement and comfort to city residents as a reminder of their shared history, and encourages reflection on the life of the Mississippi over the centuries. It is also a reminder of the city’s resilience and strength – even in the face of historic floods, Memphis and the Mississippi have endured, and continue to thrive in the 21st century.
And while it is certainly true that much of our knowledge of the relationship between Memphis and the Mississippi River is focused on commercial and economic issues, it is nonetheless possible to look at the river in a wider, more romantic sense. It is a source of inspiration to many; a symbol of possibility, of risk-taking and reward, against a rich historical backdrop. It is a reminder of the journey that the city and its people have made over the centuries, as well as to what is yet to come.
Political and Economic Role of the River
The presence of the Mississippi River in Memphis is not only symbolic, but also a major political and economic factor. Memphis’ tourism and freight industries are firmly tied to the river, with the former relying on the opportunities for fun activities like riverboat cruises and fishing, and the latter relying on the river as a reliable transportation route for goods.
The law along the Mississippi is complex and stringent, with decisions on how water is used and managed being in the hands of the federal government. Although most surrounding states have reciprocal agreements regarding water usage and management, the Mississippi River as a whole is seen as a public resource with many arguments made regarding optimal use.
Additionally, the Mississippi River has a role to play in the national energy policy of the United States. The river is a source of hydropower and provides energy at sites along its length which generate power in order to meet the energy needs of millions of people downstream. Memphis itself has benefited from such energy-generation sites, as well as from hydroelectric power plants operated by the city.
Of course, the ongoing development of the river has come with a few notable concerns. For example, pollution caused by industrial and agricultural activities in the upper Mississippi has been linked to health problems and environmental degradation downstream. Nevertheless, the river’s historical and economic importance to Memphis and indeed the entire South is undeniable.
Floods and Droughts
As is to be expected of a river of its size, the Mississippi has a tendency to experience weather-related floods and low-water periods. But a major factor in the degree to which these are felt in Memphis is how prepared the city is for them. The Floods of 1927 and 2011 will remain etched in the memories of many Memphis residents, just as the ongoing 2015 drought is likely to have a long-lasting impact on the city.
The Flood of 1927 was particularly devastating, with the floodwaters devastating several inland cities, including Memphis. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate the city, and works of art, books and other valuable items were destroyed. Although the city has learned from this tragedy, and implemented a wide range of flood engineering measures, it is still vulnerable to major floods. Memphis’ Preparedness and Response office is a testament to the city’s attention to this threat.
Conversely, the city is vulnerable to droughts, and while Memphis is not likely to experience anything like the droughts of the late 19th century, it is still subject to water restrictions imposed by the Mississippi. This is especially true during the summer months, when the river is in its lowest levels and water use must be extremely conservative.
The pressures imposed by the river’s flooding and droughts, then, can be seen as a sort of “invisible force” that has long shaped and continues to shape the development of Memphis. The city’s response to these influences is also an important part of its history and character, and its ability to remold itself to face and manage the river’s fluctuations is an impressive feat.
The Aesthetics of the River
The Mississippi and its connection to Memphis can also be appreciated from an aesthetic perspective; the beauty of the river has long been a source of inspiration for writers and painters, and a source of restorative comfort for those living and visiting the city.
This appreciation of the river begins with its natural beauty, sweeping bends and sandbars along its banks, and the many creatures like otters and beavers that inhabit its waterways. Additionally, the river provides contrast to the city’s urban landscape, with its changing colors and bustling riverside activities offering rejuvenation to those in need.
Then, of course, there is the unique cultural heritage of Memphis. Music born in the area, such as Delta Blues and its offshoots, has long been closely linked to the Mississippi and remains closely associated with the city to this day. The river provides a source of musical inspiration and the backdrop to many musical performances throughout the year.
The presence of the Mississippi in Memphis is a constant reminder of the city’s immense history and culture, and its abundant potential. The lessons of resilience and adaptability it presents are ones that the city would be wise to heed, but its beauty and cultural richness also provide blissful distraction from the everyday. Memphis and the Mississippi are firmly intertwined, in both material and immaterial ways.
Cultural Interpretations
The Mississippi is a captivating presence in the American imagination, and this is not lost on Memphians. The city has a vibrant painting scene that can be traced back to the 19th century, when newly-arrived European painters brought with them the Romantic river imagery of their homeland. Since then, many have sought to capture the power of the Mississippi as a part of their creative visions.
Most recently, there has been a surge in creative works exploring the many varied meanings of the “Mississippi experience”, from works discussing the legacies of slavery to digital artworks focusing on the contemporary issues of race and power along the river. These works offer new perspectives on the river and its role in Memphis’ history and identity.
From its divine representation in songs and poetry, to its more utilitarian value in city transportation and commerce, to its aesthetic importance – the Mississippi affects Memphis at all levels. As a community, the city needs to understand and appreciate this complex relationship, and the potential of the river for future generations.
Environmental Impact
The Mississippi is a powerful force of nature, but it is also a sensitive ecosystem in danger from human modification, pollution and climate change. Indeed, Memphis has seen firsthand the effects of human destruction on the river; in 1988, a hundred tons of hazardous waste was discovered in a stretch of the Mississippi, threatening marine life and posing a health hazard to nearby towns.
Thanks to the efforts of local and federal authorities, the river has since been cleaned and conserved, and the threat removed. But it is a stark reminder of the importance of the role humans play in the ecological balance of the river. Memphis has done much to protect and preserve the river, and must remain vigilant of the threats posed to its waters by human activity.
The long-term health of Memphis is intrinsically linked to the health of the Mississippi and its associated habitats. As a main artery of the region and part of the nation, attention and vigilance must continually be paid to protect the river from potential harm. The river carries within it both threats and promise, and Memphis and her neighbors must always be alert to the variable and powerful force of the mighty Mississippi.
