The Mississippi River is the second-longest river system in the United States, with approximately 2,300 miles of waterway. The Mississippi River starts in northwestern Minnesota, passes through 10 states, and empties into the Gulf of Mexico along the coast of Louisiana. In its journey, the Mississippi River serves as the divide between the East and the Midwest. Its valley are host to many cities of the American Midwest. Along its banks sit Minneapolis, St. Louis, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Memphis, Vicksburg, and Natchez.
The geography of the Mississippi River system is expansive and diverse. Its watershed, which is the geographical area through which all its water eventually drains, covers all or parts of 30 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Along the journey of the Mississippi, visitors find steep bluffs, islands, cypress swamps, wetlands, and bottomland hardwood forests. With a variety of climates and terrains, the watershed of the Mississippi River is home to more than 400 species of fish and 300 species of birds, several species of reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, including the endangered pallid sturgeon and American alligator.
The length of the Mississippi River changes depending on the water level, but it is typically quoted as 2,350 miles. That, however, isn’t the river’s exact length, according to Professor Gregory C. Tucker, a geographer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. According to Tucker, the exact length of the Mississippi River is 2,320 miles, and it takes an average of 108 days to traverse the river’s entire length.
Although the average annual water flow—the number of cubic feet per second (cfs) of water that flows into the Gulf of Mexico— is generally around 600,000 cfs, the amount of water flowing through the Mississippi has experienced high and low fluctuations over the years. When surveyed in the 19th century, the water flow of the Mississippi was significantly higher than normal, at around 1,400,000 cfs. Experts attribute the rise in water volume to natural phenomena such as global warming, el Niño, La Niña, and issues related to human activities such as deforestation and overgrazing of land.
The impact of the Mississippi River on local communities and ecosystems is hard to overstate. It is incredibly important to the United States, both ecologically and economically. In fact, according to the Upper Mississippi River Basin, the river supports:
- an annual economic impact of roughly $330 billion
- agricultural revenue of $37 billion
- 4,500 commercial locks
- 1,000 barge terminals
- 30,000 miles of floating logs
- 620 shipping vessels
- more than 3.2 million commercial and recreational boats
- more than half a million jobs
The Mississippi River has a vital role in providing drinking water to parts of the United States and is a crucial resource for navigation and trade. It is also home to many cultures, which have adjusted to the volatile environment alongside the river, with fishing and trapping being popular modes of subsistence. It is, thus, no surprise that the river has a rich and diverse history, making it one of the most famous and beloved rivers in the world.
Advocacy For The River
In recent years, efforts have been made to protect the river’s resources and environment. Many groups have formed to oppose the destruction of natural habitats and the contamination of the water. The Upper Mississippi River Basin Association (UMRBA), whose mission is to protect and restore the river’s natural environment, is a leader in advocating for the river. UMRBA was formed in 2006 to monitor the quality and sustainability of the Mississippi River. The organization works to encourage responsible stewardship of the river’s resources and to protect the river’s biodiversity.
UMRBA works in conjunction with several state, local, and federal agencies, as well as other organizations, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The organization tracks any changes to the river’s quality and quantity, and pushes for a balance between economic and environmental needs.
Efforts To Prevent Pollution
In addition to UMRBA, many city and state governments are investing in efforts to reduce pollution of the Mississippi River. Recently, the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN teamed up to launch the “Clean Water Partnership,” an initiative aimed at improving the water quality of the Mississippi River through better management of stormwater runoff.
The initiative focuses on reducing pollutants, such as phosphorus and sediment, which can degrade water quality. The goal is to reduce pollutant levels in the river by 25% within the next 10 years. The effort also targets non-point sources of pollution, such as urban runoff, agricultural runoff, and septic systems, which release pollutants directly into the river.
The Partnership is also working to implement measures to control runoff, such as green stormwater infrastructure, wetlands, and buffer strips. These measures can help reduce the amount of rainwater that enters the river and improve water quality, critical for the health of fish, birds, and other aquatic life. The partnership also seeks to involve the local community in the conversation about improving water quality, as local communities are often most affected by water pollution.
Environmental Measurement And Modeling
Environmental monitoring and modeling are important tools for understanding the impacts of human activities on the environment, as well as for predicting future changes. These tools help to understand the entire river system, from tributaries to deltas and estuaries, so that informed decisions about the water’s use and management can be made. The Mississippi River is home to a variety of environmental data, such as water temperature and flow, which are tracked by multiple agencies, including UMRBA. By tracking these metrics, scientists can uncover trends and patterns in the data, and make more informed decisions about river management.
In addition to data tracking, scientists can use water-quality models to predict future water-quality conditions. Computer-based models project how changes to the environment, such as increased pollutant levels, will impact the river over time, based on the inputs into the model. This information can be used to determine how best to allocate resources and to plan for future water-quality threats.
Restoration And Preservation
The sustainability of the Mississippi River is also heavily dependent on restoration and preservation projects. The Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC), part of the U.S. Geological Survey, was established in the early 1990s to study and manage the resource issues on the river. Their projects include the restoration of aquatic habitats, the protection and monitoring of migratory species, and research into the causes and effects of pollution on the river.
UMESC has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and local governments, and numerous non-profit organizations to restore and protect the Mississippi River. These organizations are working together to reduce sediment buildup in the river, restore aquatic habitats and species, and protect the river’s biodiversity. Companies such as Monsanto and the Nature Conservancy are also contributing to these efforts.
The long-term preservation of the Mississippi River is an immense undertaking. But with the help of organizations such as UMRBA, UMESC, and their partners, this important resource may be preserved and maintained for future generations.
Advancement Of Technology
In recent years, advances in technology have allowed for better monitoring and understanding of the Mississippi River. For example, UMRBA recently launched the Mississippi River Observatory, a network of devices located in the Mississippi River that allow for remote monitoring of the river. The Observatory includes several sensors that measure the temperature, flow rate, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen levels in the river. The data collected from the Observatory devices can be used to monitor changes in water quality over time.
In addition, computer models are being used to analyze data from the Observatory. For example, UMRBA is using computer models to project future changes to the river due to climate change and to predict changes to water temperature, flow rate, and water quality.
Innovations such as the Mississippi River Observatory and computer models are fundamental to understanding the Mississippi River. By monitoring and analyzing data of the river, scientists and engineers can better assess the impacts of human activities, identify potential risks, and develop solutions that bring balance to the river’s environment.
Conclusion And Reflection
The Mississippi River is an incredibly important resource, both to the United States and to its local communities. As one of the largest rivers in the world with a history stretching back thousands of years, the river is an invaluable environmental and economic asset. However, the Mississippi River is facing numerous threats, including pollution, habitat destruction, and climate-related changes.
Fortunately, efforts are being made to preserve and protect the river. Organizations such as the Upper Mississippi River Association and the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center are working to monitor and restore the river’s environment, while local governments and companies are investing in efforts to reduce pollutants and improve water quality. Additionally, advances in technology are allowing for better monitoring and analysis of the river, leading to more informed decisions about managing the river.
The future of the Mississippi River is dependent on the preservation of its environment and on the vigilance of its stewards. There is still much to be done, but with the concerted efforts of many, the river can be preserved for future generations.
