The mighty Mississippi River is the chief river of the largest drainage system in the United States and is known for its winding course, tremendous length, massive tributaries and ever-changing water levels. But is it possible that the Mississippi River had ever dried up before?
The answer to this question is yes, the Mississippi River has been known to run dry. To understand this phenomenon, let’s take a look at the history of the Mississippi. In 2005, an intense drought affected the upper Midwest, which lead to an extreme drop in the Mississippi River’s level between St. Louis and St. Paul, leading to its near-complete drying up in some places. This caused the water volume in the Mississippi near St. Paul to drop to the lowest that had been recorded since the Great Depression of the 1930s. The Mississippi further downstream, however, remained relatively unaffected.
This drought was caused by the excessive heat in the region plus a lack of precipitation. According to National Weather Service specialist Marc Kaufman, the lack of rainfall in 2004 caused several river systems (including the Mississippi) to dry up which left them unable to support even the most basic navigation because of the extremely low water flow. This drought at its prime had effects ranging from dramatic reductions in hydroelectric power to a massive increase in agricultural losses.
At this point experts agree that it is highly unlikely that this natural event could happen again due to engineering changes made in the river’s course over the past century. According to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson, the USACE has undertaken a large number of works of engineering including artificial levees, canal cutoffs, revetments and even locks and dams that were constructed in order to optimize the river’s navigation. Also, since the 1950s, the USACE has been actively monitoring and controlling the river’s water levels as much as possible.
However, with the increasing number of floods in the area, experts argue that there is always the potential for the Mississippi River to dry up again due to droughts that may have similar circumstances as the one caused in 2005. There is also the potential for waterways to be blocked due to floods blocking the tributaries that feed the river, and thus reducing the water available in the Mississippi.
The Mississippi River is an incredibly powerful and influential body of water, and its ability to adapt to changing circumstances serves as an example of humanity’s practical ability to affect change in the environment. In addition, there are many steps that can be taken to ensure that the Mississippi River remains a source of life and prosperity both now and in the future. It can be argued that a major factor in the success of this river is the variety of environmental protection measures that is taken to ensure its sustainablity and health.
Environmental Regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a number of regulations in place for the Mississippi River and all other waterbodies in the U.S. The Clean Water Act of 1972 is an example of a federal law that requires all bodies of water to meet certain standards for pollutants, which includes chemical, biological, physical, and thermal pollutants. The EPA also requires states to develop their own standards or to “adopt primary contact recreation water quality standards” which covers bacteria, nutrients, and sediment that can affect the safety of using the water or impair beneficial uses of the waterbody.
Additionally, the EPA is required to monitor the impact of various types of activities that affect the health of the Mississippi River, including agriculture, forestry, and urban development. This includes the review and approval of proposed water-related activities and associated permits, as well as the issuance of non-regulatory guidance to assist states, municipalities, and private entities in developing best management practices. This can also include limiting or banning certain types of activities that have an effect on the river, such as the discharge of pollution or the construction of dams and other structures in the river.
In addition to the Clean Water Act, the EPA has also enacted more specific regulations for the Mississippi River, such as encouraging states to develop plans for “collaborative adaptive management,” which are used to better manage and monitor the Mississippi River. This includes the development of management plans that consider both the economic and environmental needs of the river, as well as the issue of climate change, which is rapidly affecting the river.
Impacts on Wildlife
The Mississippi River is home to a wide variety of birds and other animals that rely on the river for their sustenance, and any disruption to the flow of the river can have serious consequences for these species. In addition to the effects of drought, heavy flows and flooding can also cause damage to fish and bird populations. It is important, therefore, to ensure that the river’s water flow remains as balanced as possible to minimize the impact on the wildlife that call the river home.
In addition to extreme weather events, the non-native species that are introduced to the river can also have an impact on the river’s integrity and health. One example is the Asian Carp, which was introduced to the river during flooding events in the 1970s. Since then, these fish have quickly spread throughout the river and its tributaries and have become one of the most abundant species in the river, displacing native species due to the large amount of food they consume.
In addition to a disruption to the native species in the river, the Asian Carp is also considered a nuisance species because of their tendency to jump out of the river and create hazards for boaters. This has led to the development of various strategies by the USACE to reduce their presence in the river, such as the use of sound deterrents, electric fences, and poison pellets.
Climate change
With the increasing concern of climate change, it is important to take into consideration its potential impact on the Mississippi River. The river is increasingly being affected by the more intense storm events that climate change is bringing to the region, and extreme flooding has become more common in recent years. This has implications for the health of the river, as the increased flows can cause damage to fish populations and other wildlife in the river.
In addition to the more extreme weather events, climate change is also bringing about longer dry periods, which can be just as damaging for the river. Droughts can reduce the water levels of the river and make it difficult for navigation, as well as causes other significant issues such as difficulty getting access to clean drinking water and limitation to the amount of energy generated from hydroelectric facilities.
The USACE is also considering the effects of climate change as they make plans for the future of the Mississippi River. They are researching various methods of mitigating the effects of extreme weather events, as well as investing in technologies that can be used to reduce the amount of pollution entering the river.
Benefit to Society
The Mississippi River has been an essential form of transportation and energy supply since its early days. In modern times, the river is still essential to many individuals and businesses alike. It is estimated that over 60 million people live within the Mississippi River basin and that 10 million jobs are directly supported by the river itself. This is due, in part, to the abundance of shipping and transportation lanes that are generated from the Mississippi.
In addition to transportation, the Mississippi River is also an important source of water and energy to the region. It is estimated that over 35 million acre-feet of fresh water is drawn out of the river each year, while hundreds of hydroelectric power plants generate power from the river’s flow. In addition, the river also plays a role in providing irrigation for agricultural production and recreation opportunities for nearby communities.
The Mississippi River is also a major source of jobs, both directly related to the river and its activities, such as navigators and towboat operators, and indirectly related to the industries and jobs that rely on the river for their livelihoods. These jobs allow for the production of a variety of goods and services, and can help drive the local economy and provide for a better quality of life for those living and working in the Mississippi River basin.
Conservation Efforts
The preservation and conservation of the Mississippi River is essential to ensure that this natural resource can continue to be a source of life, so many organizations and individuals are working to protect and restore the river. These efforts range from volunteer clean-up days to large-scale efforts to reduce the amount of pollution entering the river and control the river’s flow. The USACE is one of the major players in this effort, as they work to better manage and monitor the river’s levels, and are also taking steps to reduce flooding hazards.
In addition to the USACE, there are a number of state and local government and non-profit organizations that are dedicated to protecting and restoring the river, including watershed associations, university-based research institutions, and private land conservation organizations. These organizations work together to implement programs and initiatives that focus on preserving the health of the river, from identifying and restoring habitats to reducing pollution and increasing water quality.
There is also a focus on educational efforts, which are designed to inform the public about the importance of the river and the efforts being taken to conserve it. Additionally, many organizations are working to raise awareness about the dangers of climate change and its effects on the environment, and how individuals can help mitigate those effects.
