It is estimated that it takes somewhere around 90 days for a single drop of water to traverse the entire length of the Mississippi River, a distance of 2,340 miles. To put it in perspective, this is like the water travelling from a house in San Francisco to a house in New York City. It is the longest river in North America and covers several states, such as Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois and Iowa. Every day, millions of water particles along the Mississippi River’s main channel and tributaries travel through it, enabling it to act as a lifeline for the many towns and cities located along its shores.
The journey of a single drop of water around the unfurling arc of the Mississippi River can be divided into two parts based on its velocity. In the apparently next-to-nothing speed of nearly one mile per hour at the beginning of its voyage, the drop moves approximately 30-35 miles every day. During transit, the drop engages in a game of hide and seek along with the Mississippi’s tortuous tributaries, resulting in its meandering course. Its speed tends to pick up more steam and the drop then moves at an average speed of about 5.6 miles per hour and can reach an impressive speed of up to 7 miles per hour, once it has cleared all the nooks and crannies.
Average speed variations and transitional stalling occur in various sections throughout the entirety of the Mississippi’s lengthy journey. One can observe abrupt changes in velocity at large meanders, as well as surprising slows when the water reaches a wider area. During these moments, the notion of time itself can feel somewhat distorted; however, it is ultimately the cataracts, or strong waterfalls, that can really help the drop reach its destination faster.
The drop of water begins its journey from the northern shore where the river is born. Its destination is the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Louisiana, where it enters the ocean as part of a complex network of streams, bayous and canals, leaving in its wake new aquatic life and a multitude of fragile, glistening ecosystems; until eventually evaporating, completing the cycle of life for this single drop of water.
The Mississippi’s turbulent journey provides us with a real appreciation of the way hydrogeology is integrated with ecology, and how changes in the landscape due to human interactions, man-made structures and other environmental factors, such as widespread agricultural activity, profoundly affects it.
Ultimately, the Mississippi River has been an integral resource and symbol to the United States since its colonization. The river has been an economic powerhouse, enabling manufacturing plants, comprising of factories and warehouses, to be built along its banks, as well as propping up industries such as shipping and barge traffic. Without it, the entire demographic and economic landscape of American life will have been drastically altered.
Geological Changes
The course of the Mississippi River is ever-changing and can often be significantly deepened, widened and altered from its original course by human actions, such as dredging and building of locks and levees in order to contain the flow of water for irrigation and for navigation. This has caused the distributary channels of the river system to move around repeatedly, resulting in widespread seasonal flooding and in turn, increasing the meander loops of the river, either further adding to the journey of the drop.
Of course, climate change could cause extreme weather conditions and tilting on the riverbed which threaten man-built structures and artificial waterways. Heavy rains can lead to flash floods, while long-term drought can cause rivers to dry out and contain only pools which contain little to no water. In either case, the drop’s travels will be stalled and hindered.
Effects on Wildlife
The Mississippi River’s intricate ecosystem, home to various species of fish and reptiles, is finding it increasingly hard to survive in the wake of industrial development. High levels of river pollution, prolonged periods of drought, along with shrinking and disappearing habitats, have had an all-encompassing effect on the entire the aquatic life and all of its inhabitants.
The journey of a single drop of water is but a microcosm of the ecosystem as a whole, and understanding it gives us insight into the functioning of the larger river as well. Deforestation and intense agricultural activities, coupled with the intentional human violation of environmental regulations, has resulted in the Mississippi becoming a major cause of concern to ecologists and activists.
Environmental organizations, such as the National Wildlife Federation, are already making small strides in the effort of restoring balance to the atmosphere and to the Mississippi river by influencing political decisions and providing a safe haven for wildlife suffering from habitat loss. There is still a long way to go, and the efforts of countless people are required, if the state and course of the Mississippi River are to be preserved.
Human Population and Urban Areas
The Mississippi has been an engine for transportation, economy, and settlement since its establishment, and over the years has facilitated the setting up of numerous human dwellings along its banks. Unfortunately, cities and human population are two of the leading causes of water pollution, clogging the channels with toxins and chemicals. Unchecked population growth and the release of untreated sewage into water streams have further contributed to the gradual deterioration of the river overall.
This has led to a diminishing of various species of fish and reptiles, as the pollution is often too intense to the point that they can barely survive. The introduction of microplastics by corporations and factories, has caused an increased level of toxicity throughout all of the levels of the food chain, further distorting the aquatic ecosystem of the river.
remedies and Solutions
Groups such as The Mississippi River Network and American Rivers are joining forces with local communities and activists in their efforts to protect the river, relying on their collective knowledge, resources and influence to safeguard the water’s future. At the moment, their core focus is on citizen science activities and campaigns, employing education and advocacy methods in order to inform and engage the public on environmental issues. In the past few years, numerous plans for stream restoration, wetland protection and floodplain management have been proposed, with an effort also made to reduce soil erosion and agricultural runoff.
In addition to this, dedicated research teams are beginning to test the waters for contamination and perform regular checkups of the river’s health. By using innovative technology such as underwater drones and robots, they are attempting to get a better understanding of the river and its reaction to different contaminations, hoping to identify the root causes of pollution.
As our comprehension of hydrogeology and ecology grows, so does our understanding of the Mississippi River and its importance to us. It is up to us as citizens and environmentalists to understand the facts and to make sure we are doing our utmost to protect this precious national resource.
