Background Information
The Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States. Fundamentally, the Mississippi is a major river of the United States, with its headwaters located in Minnesota and eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico. As of today, the Mississippi’s length is over 2,320 miles, or 3,730 kilometers. Twenty-five of the fifty United States directly border the River and the remainder are within its expansive watershed. From the federal government to the local county and city government, the river is managed and maintained for navigation, recreation, and commerce. A deep river, the Mississippi is a great source of drinking water and a major waterway for commerce and transportation.
Hydrology and Measurement
The Mississippi River can be measured in liquid, frozen, and solid states. Its depth of measurement ranges from surface to below the bottom of the river. Further, the measurement of the depth of the Mississippi can be expressed in many ways, including depth to water, depth to the flood plain, depth of channel, depth to bed, and depth of dredging. For example, the depth to water in the Mississippi River main channel is typically 50 feet, but can range from 10 to nearly 250 feet. This means that the depth of Mississippi River varies from 10 to 250 feet depending on where it is measured from and at what point in the river’s geologic history the measurement is taken.
Environmental Impacts
The Mississippi River carries sediment from its headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico making it one of the largest sediment sources for the Gulf. Since the 1950s, sediment sources to the river have been altered significantly due to man-made alterations. These changes in sediment sources have caused rapid erosion, silting, and deepening of the main channel. This rapid erosion has resulted in the possible disruptions in fisheries, wetlands and other aquatic habitats. The abundance of sediments in the river has created various environmental issues, including increased turbidity, decreased concentrations of oxygen, increased levels of suspended solids, fatty acids, and herbicides that could potentially impair fragile ecosystems.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers has done an in-depth mapping of the waters of the Mississippi River Hall navigation project. This navigation project monitors the navigation level and width of the River to ensure the safety of navigation. In addition, the Corps of Engineers is constructing engineering projects along the river, such as levees and channels, which are intended to reduce water flow velocity and sedimentation levels, increase navigational efficiency, and enhance flood protection along the Mississippi River system.
Mississippi’s Impact on Economy
With a length of over two thousand miles, the Mississippi River is one of the longest rivers on the planet and has had an extensive impact on the economy of the United States. Across the river, commercial activities such as freight, shipping, and recreational use create thousands of jobs and contribute significantly to the nation’s economy. This is especially the case in the Mississippi Delta, which has the largest population crossed by the River and is considered one of the most important economic and cultural centers of the United States.
Response of Humans to the Mississippi River System
Humans have long interacted with the Mississippi River system, making use of its waters for transportation, irrigation, and hydropower production. Over time, humans have developed strategies to cope with the impacts of flooding, erosion, and sedimentation. Humans have implemented strategies such as large-scale flood control structures, dredging and deepening the channel, implementation of reservoirs, and implementation of large-scale conservation projects. In many cases, humans have had to resort to drastic measures such as relocation of communities, levees and other structures, and land management techniques to mitigate the effects of floods and erosion.
Conclusion and Troubleshooting for the Mississippi River
With the expanding human population, the alteration of the landscape, and the changing climate, the Mississippi River continues to experience changes, requiring an approach to troubleshoot and manage such issues. In order to maintain the river’s health, various actions need to be taken, such as reducing sediment load by improving soil conservation, reducing runoff, and reducing human activities along the riverside. Overall, efforts need to be invested in understanding the behavior of the Mississippi River, in order to properly balance economic needs and environmental issues.
Restoration Efforts of the Mississippi River
Restoration efforts of the Mississippi River have been ongoing ever since its degradation began in the 1950s. Such efforts are manifested through regulations related to navigation, navigation channel depth, and sediment transport. Conservation programs, such as River Basin planning also have been an important aspect to secure and protect the river for future generations. Conservation efforts include wetland protection, water quality monitoring, and habitat restoration.
Recreational Uses of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River serves as the home for a variety of recreational activities in the United States, from fishing and boating to water skiing and tubing. In addition, the recreational use of the Mississippi River extends to motorboating, onboard sightseeing tours, and river cruises. Such activities provide a major economic boost for the cities located along the banks of the Mississippi.
River Maintenance and Monitoring
The maintenance and monitoring of the Mississippi River involves multiple projects and programs. For instance, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has the mandate to maintain and monitor the navigability of the river. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency has the mandate to establish and enforce environmental regulations related to the Mississippi River, such as drinking water standards and water quality assessment. Other organizations, including the National Estuary Program, have their own programs to monitor and protect the river.
Health of the Mississippi River System
The health of the Mississippi River System is monitored through the use of physical, chemical, and biological measures. Such measures provide land managers with an understanding of the river’s general condition and its key elements at a certain time. Such measures also monitor changes in water quality due to changing environmental conditions or human activities. For example, it is possible to monitor the presence of biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, suspended solids, and bacteria levels in the river.
Education and Participation
In order to ensure the health of the Mississippi River System, it is important that citizens participate in the protection of its waters. In this regard, education and engagement related to the river system should be made available for the general public. Such education could include courses on how to access the river safely and topics on the conservation of the Mississippi River. Additionally, participation in monitoring and volunteer programming activities should be encouraged, in order to provide a better understanding of the Mississippi River.
