The Mississippi River is one of the world’s most iconic rivers, and it is also a unique geographical feature in the United States. Spanning more than 2,320 miles, it is the second-longest river in the USA, with the longest being the Missouri River. Over the centuries it has been a major trade, transportation, and communication route. There are many superhuman feats that make the Mississippi River unique. Let’s explore them in more detail.
Physical Features
The Mississippi River is known as a meandering river, as it has more than 10,000 bends. Along its course, the river flows through elegant, wooded and rock-ridge bluffs, oxbow lakes, meadows, and marshlands. As the river flows, it brings both beauty and economic development, and a vast array of wildlife – the Mississippi River system is home to more than 176 different species of fish and more than 330 species of birds. It is also part of a huge birding and wildlife migration pathway, making it a draw for nature lovers from across the world.
The Mississippi River also has unique features such as the delta, an alluvial plain at the mouth of the river, with an incredibly diverse set of ecosystems. This Delta Region encompasses the 31 southernmost counties of Mississippi, and roughly 15 million acres (6 million hectares) of land, making it the fifth-largest delta in the world. It is home to many species of animals, such as nutria, muskrats, and snapping turtles, that depend on the delta for food and shelter.
Economic Importance
The Mississippi River has a long history of providing economic importance since the 19th century. Transforming a wilderness into a bustling community center, the Mississippi River helped introduce commerce and shipping opportunities between the Midwest and New Orleans. Steamship navigation became an effective source of transportation and trade on the Mississippi. Today, the Mississippi River still supports a number of industries including agriculture, manufacturing, and energy production.
Barges are the predominant form of cargo transportation on the river system. More than 500 million tons of cargo is transported on the river each year, including agricultural chemicals, coal, petroleum, grain, and other industrial products. In addition to freight transportation, the River is used for passengers, allowing thousands of cruise tours, sightseeing tours, fishing expeditions, and other recreational activities. The Mississippi River connects 30 states, two Canadian Provinces, and it currently provides drinking water for 18 million people.
Significance of Cultural Heritage
The Mississippi River is a source of cultural pride for many people living along its banks, as well as a source of inspiration and life. Historically, the River has been home to numerous Native American tribes, and for thousands of years, it served as a prominent passage for Native Americans. The Mississippi River features prominently in works of literature such as Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, reinforcing the spirit of exploration that has been associated with the River for centuries.
It is also home to many musical celebrations, festivals, and events that pay homage to the rich musical history of the region. The River is a source of inspiration for many writers, artists, and musicians, as well as a gathering place for many religious groups. The River has played a vibrant role in the development of culture and civilization in North America, and it remains an important symbol of Americana.
Environmental Impact
The Mississippi River is often nicknamed the “U.S.’s Most Threatened River” due to its long-term ecological damage caused by the accumulation of sewage, industrial/agricultural runoff, and other pollutants. The river also suffers from sediment deposits, a decreasing water flow, and increased corrosion of levees resulting from upstream dams. As cabin owners and recreationists build up docking platforms, vegetation on the river banks continues to be destroyed. These changes have severely impacted many species of fish and other aquatic life that rely on the river for food and shelter.
In order to help protect the Mississippi River, several conservation efforts have been initiated by the government and other groups. However, these measures are not enough to stave off the destruction of this river. Steps must be taken now to preserve the ecological integrity of the Mississippi River for future generations.
Modern navigation on the Mississippi River is facilitated by a complex network of channel improvements. This includes stone riprap, artificial embankments, piers, and jetties. These structures provide the necessary infrastructure to maintain a navigable river, while other structures improve the conditions of navigation. These structures are made up of locks and dams, which reduce the current and provide navigation and flood control. All of these navigation structures are designed to reduce the amount of time needed to navigate and to facilitate shipping, while also protecting against erosion.
Flood Control System
The Mississippi River is prone to flooding, which can cause widespread damage and destruction. That is why it is important to have good flood control systems in place. The Corps of Engineers has constructed a series of levees and other structures along the Mississippi River to reduce the impact of flooding. These levees prevent the water from overtopping the banks and flooding adjacent land, homes, and businesses, as well as reducing the amount of sediment deposited into the water. However, due to recent population growth, the levees now pose a threat to places as vast as the Delta Region.
In addition to the levees, the Corps of Engineers and local agencies have built channel modifications, pumping stations, and other structural improvements that help protect against flooding. These projects have cost billions of dollars, but they have been successful in reducing the amount of flooding along the Mississippi River.
Aquatic Species
The Mississippi River is home to an estimated 181 species of fish and 236 species of mussels, including species such as paddlefish, sturgeon, and carp. These species are important to the environment and the local economy, but they are also under threat. Pollution, habitat loss, and over-fishing are all major threats to the aquatic species in the area. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has taken steps to protect these species, such as implementing regulations for commercial fishing, and working with local organizations to protect habitat and promote research.
In addition, the Service has begun efforts to reintroduce native species such as the pallid sturgeon and Least Terryn to the river. These efforts are already showing results, with some species populations beginning to rebound. These programs will help ensure that the unique aquatic species in the Mississippi River system will be preserved for generations to come.
Wetland Ecology
The Mississippi River has a number of wetlands, which are areas of marshland maintained by the water. These wetlands are important for multiple reasons, such as providing wildlife habitat, improving water quality, and reducing flood risk. Wetlands also provide recreational opportunities, such as hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The Service has been active in restoring these wetlands, and there are now wetland restoration projects in many areas along the river.
The Service works with local governments, landowners, and non-profit organizations to preserve and restore the wetlands of the Mississippi River, and to protect the habitat of the species that depend on the wetlands. These efforts are important for maintaining the ecosystem balance of the river, and for preserving the rich biodiversity of the area.
Resilience of the Mississippi
The Mississippi River has endured a long history of human-induced impacts, yet it remains one of the most significant geologic and cultural features of the United States. Its importance can be seen in the economies it supports, its historical roots, its recreational activities, and in the resilience of its aquatic species. The Mississippi River is an icon of the country, a symbol of the nation’s diversity, and an extraordinary example of resilience in the face of human impact.
