For millennia people have been captivated by Mississippi River’s immense size and power. The mighty river has a history as deep as its waters and its tendency to temporarily dry up has baffled many. Does the Mississippi River ever dry up? The answer is both yes and no.
At different points throughout its history, portions of the Mississippi River have gone dry. In the early 1900s, for instance, the US Army Corps of Engineers began building levees to contain the river’s powerful floods throughout its length. This altered the river’s course and caused portions of it to dry up. According to a report from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Lower Mississippi River has not reached “zero flow” since the levee s construction commenced.
In specific circumstances, such as times of extreme drought, portions of the Mississippi River can dry up temporarily. During the 1950s, for example, the Mississippi River in Louisiana dried up by an unprecedented amount. At the time, water levels were as low as they had ever been and areas along the river were completely dry. The landslides caused by this event changed the landscape of the area, though, eventually the river was replenished and returned to its normal state.
Though the Mississippi River has experienced periods without adequate water, it is rare and localized. An article from NPR reveals that, usually, the dry spots occur in the same areas over and over again, rather than being unpredictable. In some cases, such as during the ‘50s, water levels throughout the river have dropped. This suggests that, although it is not impossible for the Mississippi River to dry up, it is unlikely, as the levees keep the water contained.
It is, however, impossible for all of the Mississippi River to dry up. Various tributaries and underground streams feed into the river, ensuring its continual replenishment. These small waterways and sources of water help to sustain the river and counteract any instances of drought. In addition, the immensity of the river means that, if certain spots are dry, others are sure to be flowing.
Given its history and the effects that the waters can have on the environment, it is no surprise that scientists and environmentalists are keen to track the river’s health. In this regard, experts watch out for water levels and drought periods. With the leverage of modern technology, precise measurements can be taken to ensure that any periods of low flow are monitored and caught before reaching extreme levels. This way, any potential issues can be resolved in time.
Water Level Regulations and Preservation Efforts
The power of the Mississippi River influenced early settlers, and pushed them to attempt controlling it. Humans have implemented various techniques to capture and regulate the river’s power such as reservoir and riverbank meanders. According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, these water level regulations and preservation efforts allowed many flat lands to be cultivated and ensures that homes and businesses will not be flooded.
It is common practice to control and predict the river’s flow and levels using sophisticated computers, machinery and monitoring stations. These days, the Army Corps of Engineers are able to receive real-time data about floods and drought periods in the Mississippi River and many of its tributaries, along with details about wind speed and precipitation. This data helps them to measure the river’s flow rate and modify the levee walls accordingly.
Due to these water preservation efforts, the likelihood of the Mississippi River drying up significantly is low. Some places, such as Louisiana’s Atchafalaya River, are affected by the levee’s influence; however, for the most part, the Mississippi River continues to flow and remain relatively unchanged.
The intervention of the US Army Corps of Engineers has had both positive and negative impacts on the Mississippi River’s journey. Thanks to the levees, the regular risk of flooding can be controlled and drought periods can be more accurately identified and resolved. By not allowing the river to easily overflow its banks, however, the ecosystem can become troubled and the river’s delicate food chain can be severely damaged.
Option of Controlled Breach Management
In some cases, controlled breaches of the levees can provide the best option for both the delicate balance of the river’s ecosystems and the safety of nearby communities. Designated revetment devices, dams and pumps are then used to provide a dedicated outlet for the river’s overflow.
Flood releases are also used to reduce pressure and minimize the risk of flooding throughout the Mississippi River and its tributaries. When combined with other such techniques, like backwater pumping, controlled breaches ensure that sufficient water is released from the river, maintaining the river’s flow rate and helping to prevent drought.
Army Corps of Engineers use this type of controlled breaching technique to maintain a consistent water supply in the Mississippi River. During drought periods, the interventions associated with this technique can help the river to remain relatively full and avoid completely drying out. This maneuver is often combined with other methods, such as using water released from upstream reservoirs, to ensure that the risk of the Mississippi River drying up is greatly minimized.
Future of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River continues to face a great many challenges in the years to come and how the river is managed is set to become increasingly important. The US Army Corps of Engineers will no doubt have a great role to play in the monitoring and controlling of the river’s flow rate.
With accurate data collection, the Mississippi River can be monitored effectively and steps taken to prevent dryout periods. Concepts like “precision reservoir management” are already being employed upstream from the Mississippi River, to ensure that water is not wasted and that the health of the river can be managed effectively. This sort of technology helps to ensure that, no matter the climate, the river is able to remain full and continue to flow.
Climate change continues to be a concern for the Mississippi River and its future prospects. Increasingly, the potential for the River to dry out is becoming a real fear amongst locals and conservationists alike. Allowing the river to stay within its natural boundaries, while at the same time achieving greater predictability and efficiency in its control, is a complex challenge that involves a balance of engineering, technological solutions, and even collaboration between people.
Impact of the Mississippi River on the Population
The Mississippi River has had a significant impact on the people and communities that live alongside it. The magnificence of the river has inspired countless local cultures and many people have made their homes along its banks, with the flow of the river influencing everyday life.
The river has also been key to many of the local economies in the area. Its waters provide irrigation for crops and transportation for goods. In addition, the Mississippi River has been a source of fishing for many local families and its rich sediment has made it a great habitat for many species to flourish.
The presence of the Mississippi River in this area widens the problem of drought risk. The fear of the river drying up is a real one, particularly if the levees are not managed in the proper way. This can drive people away and damage the habitat of many species of the area. It can also damage the local businesses, who rely on the river’s waters for transport, irrigation and fishing.
It is, therefore, becoming increasingly important for communities to take their own initiatives in managing the river and protecting it from dryout. This may involve maintaining the river’s flows and preserving its wildlife, but also taking sensible steps to ensure that the environment remains as healthy as possible so that populations can remain well.
Laws & Regulations
With so much at stake, authorities are more determined than ever to take equal measures to protect the Mississippi River. To this end, various regulations and laws have been established to ensure the river’s flow and protection. In certain cases, it is illegal to modify the course of the river and any excavations must be authorized. This helps to reduce the risk of human intervention causing unexpected drought periods.
Other laws are in place to protect species specific to the Mississippi River and ensure that no single species is disturbed. In addition, strict limits have been put in place in many states to ensure that the construction of new channels and drainage systems near the riverbed is highly regulated. This helps to reduce the long-term risk of the river drying out.
As environmental impacts and human activities continue to affect the Mississippi River, scientists believe that the future of the river depends greatly upon the proper management of its waters. Through the establish of regulations and careful intervention, the Mississippi River can remain an integral part of the local environment for many years to come.
New Technologies
The powers of modern technology can go a long way when it comes to managing the Mississippi River and preventing its dryout. By using sensors and computer models, maps and precipitation data, officials can better monitor the river’s flow and predict potential effects on the environment. Advanced simulations, such as the River and Reservoir Model-Based Simulations, can help people to better analyze the overall health of the river, allowing them to experiment with different strategies and more effective solutions.
In addition to this, satellite imagery can be used to detect sudden changes in the landscape. Images from Google Maps, for example, can be used to detect any drying up periods or issues with the river. In this way, other teams can be alerted to the problem, who can then investigate and respond accordingly.
These technologies help to restore a sense of security to residents of the Mississippi River and enable them to have greater control over their environment. The data generated from these sources helps to ensure the river’s health and sustainability, and to allow for any potential instances of dryout to be identified and addressed before they become a serious problem.
Conclusion
As one of the longest rivers in the world, the Mississippi River is admired by many. Over the years it has experienced periods of drought, but thanks to a combination of human intervention and technological advancements, the river has been able to continue flowing. Various regulations, laws and preservation efforts have been implemented to help the river remain full, while new technological tools allow officials to monitor the Mississippi River’s health in greater detail.
