Introduction
The Mississippi River is the fourth-longest river system in the world, spanning more than 2,000 miles from its source in northern Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. More than 10 states, including Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois, and Missouri are home to the river’s mighty waters.
The Mississippi River is the lifeline of the region; it provides plentiful water for drinking, irrigation, and energy generation and serves as an artery for transportation, shipping, and recreation. In addition, exploration of the river system’s incredible ecosystems, rich with diverse wildlife and indigenous plants, provides a unique and immersive educational experience.
History of the River
The earliest settlers of the region known as the Mississippi Valley were indigenous tribes and Native American cultures, each with their own unique relationship with the River. By the early 1800s, the Mississippi’s course was charted, the United States had formed, and the nation’s expansion was in full swing.
The river’s importance was emphasized during the Civil War. The Mississippi River was a crucial link in connecting the Union’s central and western offensives, and Union forces ultimately won a strategic victory when they captured Memphis and Vicksburg, liberating the river from Confederate control.
Formation of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is formed from numerous tributaries that all flow into the main river. The headwaters of the river are located near the city of Itasca in Minnesota, where the river is fed by its largest tributary, the Minnesota River. The Red River of the North, the Missouri River, and the Ohio River all join the Mississippi along its course.
At its source, the river is approximately 750 feet above sea level. The Mississippi begins to drop in elevation as it flows southward, gaining elevation at the Arkansas-Mississippi state line and losing elevation as it reaches the delta region of Louisiana.
Impacts of Human Activity
Humans have had a profound impact on the Mississippi River. Over the centuries, we have built dams and levees, redirected and restricted the river’s flow, polluted its waters, and developed encroaching urban sprawl.
These human interventions have had a significant effect on the river’s ecology. Wetland ecosystems, once abundant in the river’s delta region, have been reduced and fragmented by the encroachment of industrial development and urban expansions. Floating mats of aquatic vegetation, essential for the river’s fish and wildlife habitats, have also been reduced by sedimentation, runoff, and man-made water diversions.
Preservation Efforts
In recent years, conservation efforts have increased to protect the Mississippi River. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced the Clean Water Act of 1972, which prevents the dumping of pollutants into the river and stringent development permits are now required to ensure minimal impact.
Various organizations such as the Nature Conservancy, the National Parks Service, and the National Wildlife Federation have joined together to protect the river through monitoring and adaptive management.
Costs to Society
The human and environmental impacts of the Mississippi River have taken a significant financial toll on the nation. The US Geological Survey estimates that the overall economic damages caused by the degradation of the river reach an estimated $500 million per year. In addition to this economic burden, the impacts of the river’s pollution and lack of resources pose an even greater threat to the river’s wide range of inhabitants, both human and animal.
Reclamation Projects
In response to the river’s deteriorating conditions, various reclamation projects have been initiated. These projects involve the restoration of wetlands and floodplains, the reintroduction of native species, the removal of urban runoff, the installation of artificial wetlands, the installation of fish ladders, the control of sedimentation and erosion, and the removal of pollutants from the water.
Organizations such as the National Audubon Society, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Army Corps of Engineers have all taken part in the restoration and preservation of the river.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River is an invaluable resource that has been essential to the development of the United States. However, it has often been taken for granted and its health has suffered as a result. It is incumbent upon all Americans, whether through direct financial support or through greater awareness, to ensure the Mississippi River maintains its vitality for future generations.
