The distance between the two cities is approximately 441 miles if one were to follow the course of the Mississippi River. That being said, the fastest route between the two locates is just 285 miles. This advice is based upon the best route to take by car. Since this journey involves travelling on many roads, including the Highway 20, the Highway 18 and the Highway 22, it will take up to five hours to get from Springfield to the Mississippi River.
The surveyors surveyed the course of the river from the Minnesota-Wisconsin State line down to the river mouth in New Orleans and reported this data in 1832. They discovered the width of the river to be up to 6000 feet, with the depth ranging from 5-30 feet. It was established that the total length of the river was approximately 2545 miles When the two cities are studied in comparison, it becomes visible that the distance between Springfield and the Mississippi is 441 miles.
Historically, the Mississippi River has held a different level of importance to different eras and cultures. For example, during the colonial era, the river was used to transport goods and people between settlements and towns that lined the length of the river. Even today, the river remains a popular choice in both recreational and commercial activities and is heavily dependent on for electricity generation, irrigation, and navigation. According to the American Rivers, the Mississippi River supports almost half of the US’s population.
In terms of safety , the Mississippi River is undeniably an exemplary natural resource, with unprecedented relevance in modern life. Professionals have found that the combination of its size, strong currents, and depths make it one of the safer rivers to visit and navigate. Dangers can be spotted early, and water-goers can be warned of potential difficulties or risks to watch out for.
In terms of navigation, some of the most advanced technologies are used to chart the best course when travelling the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River Cruisers Association believes that advanced navigation equipment and planning are essential to preserve safety and avoid coming too close to any unexpected obstacles or structures.
Wildlife and Ecology
The environmental impact of the Mississippi River is immensely beneficial for its wildlife. It is said to be the home of over 150 species of fish, with many being of great commercial value. Hundreds of bird species are attracted to the wetlands that line the river, with migrating species being some of the most notable.
The Mississippi River is known to take an incredibly serious stance on conservation due to the delicate nature of the habitat and the fauna that dwell within it. In recent years, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has implemented a ten-year plan to conserve and enhance the health of the Mississippi River. This includes the preservation of the habitats, some of the endangered species, and planning for their long-term survival. This responsibility is shared by private organisations, Native and Indigenous Tribes, States and US government agencies.
In spite of the protection efforts, the Mississippi River is no stranger to efforts to exploit it for commercial gain. Through the years, different companies have taken action to extract resources from the river, often resulting in negative ecological implications. For example, infrastructure such as locks, dams, and artificial waterways have been included in the river, which has impacted its health in some regions. Additionally, it has previously been heavily used as a dumping ground for fuel, petroleum and other hazardous materials.
Economic Relevance
The Mississippi River has played a central role in the history of the United States and its people for centuries. Its economic importance is proven by how central it is to the shipping industry as many cities along the river rely it as the main avenue for international trade. In addition, the Mississippi River today remains one of the busiest transportation arteries in the world and is a major contributor to the country’s GDP.
However, the Mississippi River’s most important contribution to the US Gross Domestic Product does not come from its transportation industry, but from its recreational activities. The river and its tributaries offer hundreds of activities for people, such as fishing and boat cruising, that generate quite a bit of treasure in terms of tourism-related revenues.
The Mississippi River has had a crucial role in the economic development of its surrounds cities alongside it. This is particularly true when it comes to the levee system, which was designed to contain the Mississippi River within its banks, protection cities and its population.
Environmental Protection
The US Environmental Protection Agency has devoted significant resources to monitoring and protecting the Mississippi River over the years. This effort was reinforced in 2015 when the Obama administration released the America’s Waters Initiative, which identified the Mississippi River-Gulf of Mexico Watershed as an essential component of the wildlife of the country and crucial for the sustainability of its economy.
The United States sees the Mississippi River as integral to achieve environmental protection and development goals, especially when it comes to flood prevention. The Army Corps of Engineers has overseen the building of resources such as levees and dams, with the purpose of containing the river’s flow and protect its cities of potential disaster.
The US Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for the regulation of any industrial activity in the Mississippi River. This may include the discharge of pollutants, including construction and agricultural activities. In addition, the EPA is responsible for implementing the Clean Water Act, a 1978 law that set the water quality standards of the water bodies in the country. This Act is enforced through strict safety and water quality measurement regulations of any type of pollutant entering the waters.
Cultural Impact
Culturally, the Mississippi River is a continuous source of inspiration for its neighbours and for the world alike. Its riverside cities tell stories of historic sites, of brave heroes and strong beliefs that bond its people with this river.
The Mississippi’s most celebrated contribution to United States culture is, perhaps, in music. It has inspired countless artists such as artists like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and many others who shaped the American music landscape by their representation of its sound. Its meaning goes far beyond the music itself, offering a great source of pride and a reminder of powerful legacies of those who have gone before.
In popular culture, its role is also significant. Its presence in literature and cinema depicts the powerful beauty and distinctiveness of the river as well as its connection to its people. Its positive representation of the US has had an undeniable weight in increasing the standing of the river in the mind of the world.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River remains the highway for many in the United States, representing a journey to the days of the industrial revolution, the wild west and a continuous source of inspiration for those who live alongside it. It stands as a symbol of the synergies, aspirations and memories that are strongly associated with lives in all of the states it passes through, from Illinois to Missouri and from Minnesota to Louisiana. The Mississippi River will undoubtedly keep inspiring different generations for decades to come and its importance for the growth of the United States will remain for all to remember.
