Ways the Mississippi River is Cleaned
The Mississippi River is the longest and most iconic rivers on Earth and runs through the heart of the United States. It is also a vital resource for communities, businesses and nature. As part of natural growth and changes, Mississippi River water quality has declined
in recent years due to population growth, industry, and urbanization. Pollution of the river with industrial waste and other pollutants has caused the water to become toxic, leading to fish die-offs, dangerous algae blooms and other problems. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that people are helping to clean up the 21st century’s largest river.
Lawsuits & Regulations
In 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed a lawsuit against a group of nearly twenty regulated entities — including federal and state government agencies, wastewater treatment facilities, and other industries — for failing to protect the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The lawsuit resulted in a settlement that is expected to improve water quality along the river by reducing pollution by 35%.
Since then, the EPA has put in place several new regulations designed to reduce the level of pollutants in the river. These regulations are designed to prevent certain types of industrial and agricultural runoff, limit phosphorus and nitrogen levels in the water, and limit the amount of hazardous substances being dumped into the river.
Volunteer Cleanups
Many organizations offer volunteer cleanups of the Mississippi River, often organized by local business or civic groups. These groups often focus on specific locations and areas, such as removing debris from a beach or shoreline. Volunteers from these organizations can also work on longer-term projects, such as restoring wetlands and riverbanks, removing invasive species and re-naturalizing parts of the river.
Additionally, many individual citizens are taking action to clean the river. People can help the cause by disposing of their waste and litter properly and by avoiding activities that could pollute the river, such as fishing with lead weights.
Restoration Projects
Various agencies and organizations are actively seeking ways to improve the water quality of the Mississippi River. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has created the Mississippi River Restoration Program, which focuses on restoring wetlands, reducing sediment runoff and improving water quality. Through the program, NOAA has partnered with other agencies to fund a number of restoration and clean-up projects, such as the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program.
In addition to federal initiatives, many states have created their own projects to restore the river. For example, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has established the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) program, which focuses on restoring both the river’s physical and ecological integrity. The program has put in place various management plans to improve water quality and protect aquatic habitats.
Maintaining Sustainable Practices
Long-term efforts to clean up the Mississippi River will require people to adopt sustainable practices both on and off the river. Private citizens, industry and government have all have a role to play in maintaining clean water in the river.
Private citizens can help reduce pollution by recycling, using phosphate-free soaps and detergents, and avoiding activities that could lead to contamination, such as dumping waste in the water. Industries should work to reduce their wastewater discharge and ensure that any wastewater they do discharge is properly treated. Governments should implement and enforce regulations to ensure that industry and citizens are adhering to standards for water quality.
River Monitoring
Monitoring the river’s quality is crucial for assessing the progress of efforts to clean it up. To that end, government agencies and private organizations have set up a network of monitoring sites throughout the watershed to measure the concentrations of various pollutants, such as nitrates, phosphates and metals.
By taking regular measurements and monitoring trends, researchers can better understand what is happening to the river, and help to identify sources of pollution and develop strategies to reduce it. With this data, government agencies can also set targets for reducing water pollution in the future.
Wetland Preservation
Wetlands are vital habitats that provide numerous environmental, economic, and cultural benefits to people and wildlife. Preserving these ecologically important areas is a crucial step in cleaning up the Mississippi River.
The federal government and state governments are taking numerous steps to improve wetland protection and restoration. These include introducing wildlife-sensitive management plans, creating new wetland preserves and restoration areas, and conserving existing wetlands.
Floodplain Restoration
Floodplains are vital to the health of the Mississippi River, as they absorb excess water during floods and help to reduce flooding damage. Unfortunately, floodplains are often subjected to development and destruction.
Restoring floodplains helps to reduce the amount of pollution entering the Mississippi River from runoff and erosion, and provides important habitat for native species. The federal government and state governments are taking steps to restore and protect floodplains, such as buying up flood-prone land and reconstructing stream channels to better manage floodwaters.
Nutrient Reduction
High levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, can cause algal blooms and water pollution. Reducing the amount of nutrients entering the river is a key part of cleaning up the Mississippi River.
One way to reduce nutrient levels is to reduce agricultural runoff. Farmers can reduce runoff by using conservation tillage and cover crops and implementing nutrient management plans. In addition, the EPA and other organizations have implemented various nutrient reduction projects, such as the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force, which has taken action to reduce nutrient runoff from the Mississippi River Basin.
Education & Outreach
Education and outreach efforts are also important for cleaning up the Mississippi River. By creating awareness and engaging people in the process, it encourages individuals to take action and help improve water quality in their watersheds.
To that end, government agencies and private organizations have put in place various initiatives to educate and engage citizens about river conservation. These include educational programs, riverwalks, workshops, festivals, and other outreach efforts.
