Historical Context
The Mississippi River collects and carries the water from 31 states and two Canadian provinces for hundreds of miles before it spills into the Gulf of Mexico. According to the National Park Service, the Mississippi River is the fourth longest river in the world, winding over 2,300 miles from its source in Lac de Gras, Canada, to the swampy delta at the Gulf of Mexico. As a result of its wide scope and long course, the question of how long does it take Mississippi River water to travel has been largely debated for many years.
The journey of the Mississippi River water begins from its source from Lac de Gras, flowing southeast then southwest, accumulating water from numerous tributaries and other small rivers, until it eventually regurgitates its water into the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana. Water from the immediate source can make its journey in a matter of days; however, depending upon the specific course of the Mississippi River and the amount of tributaries and other small rivers that it takes on, the journey takes much longer.
Scientific Evidence
The average resident of the Mississippi River basin will be aware that it can take weeks, sometimes months, for water to travel its entire course. A study recorded by the U. S. Geological Survey in 2017 states that it can take 85 days for water to travel from the headwaters of the Mississippi River near Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Venice, Louisiana, which is near the mouth of the Mississippi River. This particular study focused on the effects of polluting contaminants, as well as on organic materials, as they traveled downstream.
The time taken by Mississippi River water to travel from one point to another, relying solely on its own waters, can also be quite long. For example, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it takes about three weeks for water to travel between Omaha, Nebraska and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is roughly 870 miles away. That same water can take up to two months to reach the Gulf of Mexico, and between three and four months to reach its final destination. This travel time can vary depending on the weather and peak water flow, both of which can affect the water’s journey.
Hydrological Factors
The speed of the Mississippi River is affected by a variety of factors, including the volume of water that is entering the river and its rate of flow. In certain dry or low-flow periods, it can take the Mississippi River water longer to reach its destination than during times when there is a large volume of water flowing at high rates. The Mississippi River also takes on average less water from its sources during times of drought, which can also lengthen its journey.
The period of time that water takes to reach the Gulf depends both on the amount of water in the river and the flow rate of that water. In cases where the volume and rate of flow are reduced, it can take significantly longer for the water to reach the Gulf. Additionally, large amounts of precipitation and snowmelt runoff enter the river, which can also affect the flow rate and the water’s journey.
Environmental Implications
The long journey of the Mississippi River water can have both environmental and economic implications. During periods of intense precipitation or drought, water can travel more quickly or slowly, respectively. This can mean that floodwaters can quickly sweep down the Mississippi, resulting in loss of life and damage to property, or that drought conditions can persist locally if the water takes too long to reach its destination. This further leads to economic implications as capital and resources must be used to fix the damage done by a flood, or to address the economic decline of a drought.
The journey of the Mississippi River water can also be used as a measure of the health of the Mississippi River itself. If water is taking longer to reach its destination, this can be an indication of contamination, chemical runoff, or other problems that must be addressed. Conversely, shorter travel times may be an indication of a healthy river with clean waters.
Social Effects
The length of the Mississippi River water’s journey can also have social implications. As the water travels downstream, it affects plant and animal life along the way. The time taken by the Mississippi River water to reach its destination can have an impact on the habitats of these species, as well as on the humans who rely on these habitats for their subsistence.
Additionally, the length of the journey of the Mississippi River water can have an impact on businesses. For example, shipping companies that operate in the region are dependent on the Mississippi River for transportation of goods. The length of the water’s journey can impact the shipping times, particularly if the water takes longer than usual to reach its destination.
Climate Change
The length of the Mississippi River water’s journey can also be impacted by climate change. Rising temperatures in the region cause more precipitation, and both of these factors can greatly affect the speed at which the water travels. As temperatures rise, more water is evaporated, resulting in more frequent floods, which can dramatically decrease the length of the Mississippi River water’s journey, as less water is available when it reaches its destination.
Climate change can also lead to drier conditions, which can slow the water down. In this case, the amount of water that is entering the river decreases, as the ground absorbs more and less runoff is available to be picked up by the river. As a result, the Mississippi River water can take longer to reach the Gulf before the water is replenished.
Policy Implications
The length of the Mississippi River water’s journey can also have implications on policy. Due to the fact that the Mississippi River water takes a long time to reach its destination, policies must be implemented to strengthen river bank stability, as well as to ensure that pollutants and contaminants do not enter the river upstream. Furthermore, governments must establish policies to manage both flooding and drought, as the length of the Mississippi River water’s journey can impact both disasters.
The length of the Mississippi River water’s journey can also have other economic implications, such as the need for more efficient transportation methods in the region. As the water takes longer to reach its destination, the demand for transportation increases, causing the need for more efficient and cost-effective transportation methods.
Legislation
Due to the ecological and economical importance of the Mississippi River, legislation has been passed throughout the years to protect and preserve it, as well as its surrounding ecosystem. This legislation pertains directly to the length of the Mississippi River water’s journey and its effect on the environment. In particular, these pieces of legislation address water pollution, sediment control and reservoir operation, all of which are intertwined with the length of the Mississippi River water’s journey.
Legislation has also been passed in order to ensure that the Mississippi River itself is able to accommodate its large volume of water. This includes the implementation of dams and locks, which can help prevent flooding and regulate the flow of water. These measures are key in ensuring that the Mississippi River water does not take an inordinate amount of time to reach its destination.
Conclusion
The journey traveled by the Mississippi River water can be long and winding, taking between two to four months to reach its destination, depending on the water flow and the number of tributaries it collects as it moves downstream. Numerous hydrological and environmental factors can impact the length of its journey, from significant precipitation and snowmelt runoff to drought conditions. The journey of the Mississippi River water can also have social, economic, and policy implications, necessitating the implementation of legislation to help protect and preserve the river and its ecosystem, and ensure that its journey continues for many years.
