In regards to commerce and shipping, Mississippi River shipping is a major player. Businesses and companies located around the United States rely on the river for reliable and efficient transport for their goods. However, the question often arises: just how deep is the Mississippi River Shipping Canal?
The Mississippi River Shipping Canal is an artificial channel constructed more than a century ago near the town of Vicksburg in Louisiana. It was the first link between the northern and southern section of the river, providing a crucial connection for the busy yet treacherous logistical system. Since it’s…
Completion, the canal has been a major factor in allowing businesses to move goods efficiently and safely from one location to another.
The Mississippi shipping canal is 350-feet (106.7 meters) wide and nearly 18-feet (5.5 meters) deep at its deepest point. The width at the surface is around 200-feet (61-meters) depending on the amount of sedimentation on the riverbed. That depth allows the enormous towboats that navigate the river to reach the port cities, and it makes it possible for barges ferrying liquids, grain, and other cargo to maintain their course and traverse the river with relative ease.
The Mississippi shipping canal has been an invaluable asset to the economy of central and northern states in the United States. According to the United States Army Corps of Engineers, 60 percent of the nation’s grain is transported on the river, in addition to coal and petroleum products.
The canal has, however, seen its fair share of difficulties over the years. In 1984, the great Mississippi flooding submerged the entire canal in a massive torrent of river water, eroding away land and pushing back the boundaries of the canal. In recent years, the river has experienced lower water levels, due in part to increased recreational use and increased agricultural irrigation. This can lead to the need for dredging, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
Aside from costly dredging, the upkeep of the Mississippi Shipping Canal requires daily maintenance as well. Maintenance crews work to keep the canal clear of sediment and pollutants and to maintain the complex lock system that regulates water levels. While this maintenance is mostly routine and mundane, storms, flooding, and other weather events can cause complicated and expensive repair work.
Though the Mississippi shipping canal could be seen as nothing more than a deep water stretch of river, it is in fact of significant economic and historic value. Allowing for efficient and safe transportation for goods an businesses, the canal has been a key factor in keeping the US transportation industry afloat.
Environmental Effects
The Mississippi River Shipping Canal has had a profound effect on the environment of the Mississippi River as well. With more commercial traffic moving through each year comes a range of pollutants and sediment. A 2006 study conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that while the canal could be beneficial in providing access to ports, the destruction caused by dredging and the pollution caused by commercial vessels can cause “significant and irreversible” damage to the river’s ecosystems.
The effects of the canal on the ecosystems of the river have been studied for years by experts. According to the Army Corps of Engineers, the lower water levels caused by the channels in the canal could impact river species, particularly endangered species such as the pallid sturgeon and various species of fish. The lower levels can also damage the wetlands, as sediment and other pollutants are more present with the diminished water level.
The damage to the aquatic wildlife as a result of the water levels is a major factor in the decision to use dams, levees, and other methods to manage the water levels of the canal. With the canal being such a crucial connection for most of North America’s commerce, it is paramount that the river’s ecosystems are managed properly and carefully.
Safety and Security
In addition to environmental effects, the Mississippi River Shipping Canal has also had a significant impact on the safety and security of goods being transported through the river. The canal creates a much faster and safer route for goods being shipped up and down the Mississippi, and it has created a new level of competition among shipping companies who want to get their goods to their destination as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
As a result of the new level of competition, shipping rates have become very competitive, though safety is still a top priority. The Army Corps of Engineers have put in place a number of measures to ensure that vessels and goods are as safe as possible while traveling on the canal. This includes strict regulations on the movement of barges, as well as regular patrols by the US Coast Guard.
In addition to Coast Guard patrols, there are a number of private monitoring companies and organizations that patrol the canal. These organizations are responsible for monitoring vessels, enforcing the regulations set forth by the Army Corps of Engineers, and ensuring the safety of everyone on the river. Their presence serves as a reminder to shipping companies that safety and security will always be a priority on the Mississippi River Shipping Canal.
Economic Considerations
The Mississippi River Shipping Canal has also been a major economic player throughout its years of operation. The lower water levels brought by the canal has made it easier and safer to get goods to and from the major port of New Orleans, and it has helped to increase the volume of goods that can be moved up and down the river each year. According to the Army Corps of Engineers, the estimated value of goods shipped through the canal is upwards of $1.4 billion each year.
The economic benefits brought by the Mississippi River Shipping Canal have helped to transform the face of modern shipping. Companies are now able to transport their goods more quickly and safely than ever before, and as a result there has been a substantial increase in the volume of goods being shipped through the canal each year. That increase in volume means more jobs and more money for the region.
The port of New Orleans has benefitted the most from the development of the Mississippi River Shipping Canal. Aside from theboost in goods moving through the port, New Orleans has seen a steady influx of tourists and travelers who flock to the city to explore the historic and cultural wonders it has to offer.
The impact of the Mississippi River Shipping Canal is clear – it has been a major player in the shipping industry throughout the years and has helped to bolster the economies of towns and cities throughout the region. While the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the canal can be taxing, it is undeniable that the economic benefits far outweigh the costs.
Steady Growth of the Waterway
Though the Mississippi River Shipping Canal has been in place for more than a century, its importance and impact have only grown over the years. With new regulations and innovations in shipping technology, the canal has become an even more viable route for businesses to ship goods up and down the river. It has also become a key economic engine for the cities and towns it passes through.
One of the key benefits of the Mississippi shipping canal is that it allows companies to make use of their existing vessels, as well as their existing infrastructure. This means that businesses are able to move their goods quickly, safely, and cost-effectively, which ultimately translates into more money in their pocket.
The steady flow of goods, people, and services the Mississippi River Shipping Canal provides has helped to bolster the economy and keep businesses thriving throughout its existence. With more regulations and advances in shipping technology, it is likely that this crucial waterway will continue to be of major economic importance for years to come.
Impact on Global Shipping
The Mississippi River Shipping Canal has had an immeasurable impact on the global shipping industry. With its ability to efficiently move goods and people up and down the Mississippi, the canal has helped to open up markets and facilitate trade between countries. The port of New Orleans has become one of the most important ports in the world.
The canal has also allowed businesses to easily access markets across the world. Companies can now take advantage of the canal’s advantages and quickly move their goods domestically or abroad. This has created a surge in global trade and commerce, and has made it easier for companies to move their goods around the world.
In addition to the economic benefits, the canal has helped to improve the vitality of the Mississippi River. With the construction and maintenance of the canal, businesses and communities have access to clean and healthy waterways, as well as safe and efficient transportation.
The impact of the Mississippi River Shipping Canal has been enormous, and it is likely that its importance and significance will only continue to grow in the coming years. With the ever-increasing global demand for goods and services, the canal is an important part of the equation.
