Location of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin
The Mississippi River runs through central Wisconsin for approximately 452 miles and forms the state’s western border where it meets the Chippewa and St. Croix rivers. It is a significant geographical feature of Wisconsin and is an important economic factor in the region.
Geological Formation
The Mississippi River was shaped by several glaciers during the last ice age and its meandering path amounts to 810 miles between Lake Itasca in Minnesota where it begins and the Gulf of Mexico. Typically, the river is one mile in width and has a maximum depth of 19 feet.
Depth in Wisconsin
The Mississippi River in central Wisconsin has a mean depth of 9.5 feet and flows in a slow to medium current. It is typically shallow in depth and is not considered suited for fishing, boating, swimming and other recreational activities.
However, some locales of the river in Wisconsin can exceed 17 feet in depth. This is due to the location of the rapids and the erosion of the riverbed. The deepest point of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin is located in the Rock County area, near Fort Atkinson and there it is roughly 40 feet deep.
Currents
The currents in the Mississippi River in Wisconsin vary from a slow current to a moderately swift one. The most current can be found along the Wisconsin-Minnesota border and at points south of Horicon Marsh, where it can reach speeds up to three miles per hour.
Aquatic Wildlife
The Mississippi River in Wisconsin has a significant concentration of aquatic wildlife, such as freshwater fishes and mussels. Catfish, smallmouth bass, and carp are all found in abundance near the Mississippi River. Other animals native to the Mississippi River include platy, blue gill, and bullhead catfish.
The presence of many aquatic species in the Mississippi River helps to maintain the ecological balance of the waterway and provides habitat for birds and other animals that feed off of the abundance resources.
Threats to the Ecosystem
The Mississippi River in Wisconsin is threatened by several forms of human-induced pollution and disruption of the natural habitat. The river has seen numerous instances of industrial waste being disposed into the water, and nutrient runoff from nearby crop fields has drastically increased the amount of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous which can cause algal blooms.
Climate change is another factor that has caused an unprecedented amount of water evaporation which has drained the river and decreased its levels. This can cause severe impacts on the aquatic life of the river and its surrounding areas.
Riverfront Development
Due to its strategic location, many communities along the Mississippi River in Wisconsin have engaged in riverfront development projects in order to economically benefit from the river. Fishing and boating may be restricted in certain areas for safety reasons, yet many businesses still draw a lot of tourism from the river.
Nevertheless, riverfront development projects must comply with conservation regulations to preserve the river’s eco-system and its aquatic wildlife. As such, planting new trees, shrubs and composting can help maintain the Mississippi River’s ecological balance.
Flooding
Flooding is a common winter occurrence in Wisconsin’s Mississippi River. Although the river’s mean depth is 9.5 feet, during heavy rains and snowmelt, water can quickly rise and flood rural areas near the waterway.
Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resource recommends that residents of the area remain mindful of high water levels and clear debris or garbage from the riverbank to prevent it from blocking off or clogging the flow of water. Furthermore, areas that tend to be more prone to flooding should be avoided.
Environmental Preservation and Reclamation
The Mississippi River in Wisconsin receives assistance from both the government and local communities. The government provides funding to organizations whose mission is to preserve the river’s natural beauty by maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
Local communities from Talbot, Eau Claire and La Crosse counties have adopted cleaning campaigns to pick up trash and actively preserve the river’s resources. Additionally, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has adopted projects and initiatives that look to restore degraded areas of the river and clean up pollution.
Recreational and Commercial Activities
The Mississippi River in Wisconsin offers a variety of recreational and commercial activities that stimulate economic growth of the area. Recreational activities range from fishing, wildlife watching, birding, and boating.
In addition, various businesses, such as riverfront restaurants, passenger boating services, and ferryboats for tourists, provide entertainment, income and job opportunities for the local communities.
Economic Value
The Mississippi River in Wisconsin has a significant economic value. It brings in more tourists from around the world due to its leisurely and recreational activities. Moreover, many industries such as transportation, commercial fishing, and tourism rely on the Mississippi River which translates into more revenues for the state.
Additionally, navigation on the Mississippi River has improved over the years and has allowed for the entry of commodities in Wisconsin like coal, iron and ores, which have helped fuel the economy.
Infrastructure
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the infrastructure of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin. This includes maintaining commercial ports and harbors, ports of call and public boat access points, and responding to reports of pollution, obstructions, and damage along the waterway.
It is essential that the infrastructure of the river remains intact and free from obstruction to maintain its navigability, flow, and safety for recreational and commercial vessels.
Involvement of Local Communities
The local communities of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin are just as active in preserving the river. Local government agencies, such as the Friends of the Mississippi River, develop programs to engage citizens in conservation efforts of the waterway.
These efforts usually consist of education programs about natural resource management and the preservation of the Mississippi River’s scenic areas. Furthermore, local communities often hold clean-up campaigns to remove debris and trash.
