An enduring presence across the United States for eons, the Mississippi river is famous for its winding course and runs a staggering 2,320 miles long through states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri. One of the most popular questions about the river is: How much water is in the Mississippi river? According to experts have studied the river, the Mississippi River contains an estimated 1,212,000 gallons of water.
The potential quantity of water varies greatly due to the many factors that affect it and the dynamic nature of the river. Such conditons include water evaporation, river movement, and the amount of rainfall within the Mississippi River watershed. With all these conditions in play, the amount of water within the river is constantly changing.
The Amazon River, which is acclaimed as the world’s largest river by volume, is known to contain an estimated 7,792,000 gallons of water, nearly seven times more than the massive Mississippi. So why is there such a significant difference? This is due to the fact that the Amazon is much wider and its navigable portion is much longer than the Mississippi. While the Mississippi River holds less water, its width contains enough navigating space to welcome over hundreds of vessels travelling through.
Humans have regarded the Mississippi River as a priceless source of income and sustenance for thousands of years, as it is home to plentiful sport and commercial fish. The river’s nutrient-rich waters, combined with its vast size, provide a perfect habitat for a wide array of aquatic life, plants, and mammals.
Oftentimes, the inhabitants of the Mississippi River are affected by water pollution. Such chemicals and waste lead to an increase in the acidity of the water, and a decrease in oxygen levels. Pollution also has a direct effect on the ecosystem and its associated wildlife, with many species of animals and aquatic life being adversely affected. Further contamination of the Mississippi has a far reaching impact, and is a real threat to both the environment and public health.
Economic Impact of the Mississippi
As previously mentioned, the Mississppi River is a source of income and a destination for leisure activities. Port cities are situated along the riverbanks, and cities such as New Orleans and Baton Rouge offer a variety of transport services that bring in an impressive yearly revenue for the state. In addition, millions of tourists come to the Mississippi River and its connecting tributaries for the enjoyment of its wildlife and beautiful scenery.
The economic impact of the Mississippi River could definitely be felt when it came to the crucial role it played in helping to rebuild New Orleans following the devastating and traumatizing events of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The hurricane and its flooding caused billions in damages and major alterations to the river’s course of flow. Gallons and gallons of water were let loose and filled the city and its surroundings, devastating many neighborhoods and uprooting many families.
It has been over a decade since the natural disaster, and scientists and citizens of New Orleans have come together and taken numerous steps to restore the city to its former glory. Key steps like the shoring up of levees that contain the water, installing pumps to remove flooding water, and replacing soil and wetlands near the river have all assisted in the rebuilding of the city
The Difficulty In Measuring The Amount Of Water In The Mississippi
Measuring the amount of water in the Mississippi endures as a difficult task. Measurements of the water and its associated flow can also vary greatly over time, as the water is continuously subject to pulse flows due to the many tributaries that feed it on a regular basis.
Though difficult, monitoring and measuring the amount of water in the Mississippi is a key task that scientists and officials take into account when attempting to prevent potential disasters. Ranging from floods to extended droughts, these can all have a disastrous effect on both the environment and human life.
The amount of water in the Mississippi River is also examined by scientists to ensure that the water is safe for human consumption. With part of the population, including those of agricultural communities, relying heavily on the river for its consumption needs, it is the duty of the respective authorities to provide clean water supplies.
Each year the United States Geological survey takes on the challenge of monitoring and measuring the waters of the Mississippi River, but the task is complex and requires accurate data from various points of observation. This data is also used to calculate factors such as the level of sediment removal needed to keep the river’s navigation channels safe and deep enough.
Water Supply Used And Polluted By Cities Located Next To The River
In cities such as Minneapolis, Louisville, and St. Louis, water is pulled directly from the Mississippi River and is the main source of water for the local population. The indiscriminate use of the water has adverse effects on the environment, with both pollutants and pesticides reaching an unacceptable level.
In addition, as many factories located close to the river’s edge release potentially hazardous effluents into the water, it is no surprise that the levels of leftover toxins present have far exceeded safe levels.
In order to reduce the effects of water pollution, the immediate communities have taken action by requesting a review of the Area Of Environmental Interest of the river. This seeks to identify which areas contribute most to the pollution and the rate of water flow. The cleaning program for these areas seeks to reduce the amount of pollution and in some cases remove it completely, further aiding the quality of the water positively.
Flooding In The Mississippi Valley
Flooding is another thing that regularly threatens the Mississippi river and forces authorities to take corrective actions. Floods mainly occurred in the low lying states of the Mississippi Valley, most especially in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, which makes monitoring water levels exceptionally important.
Floods when the regions Waterways are overfilled with water after the consecutive pouring of rainfall. In such cases, families are evacuated to other safer regions and added flood control measures usually get implemented.
Seeked to protect the people and the environment, the Army Corps of Engineers has tested a variety of measures such as the controlling of water flow in neighbouring states and intercepting water from tributaries to stop flooding from occurring.
The various steps taken by the Corps to prevent floods in the Mississippi Valley have been in most cases successful; however, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency continue to warn the public to be prepared for potential floods. This is knowledge essential for those living in the Mississippi Valley.
The Impact Of Climate Change On The Mississippi River
The affects of climate change have stretched out to the Mississippi River, with one of the main changes being a gradual rise in the water level. This can be attributed to the extensive use of fertilizers in agricultural areas and the increasing precipitation levels associated
With the continuing increase of global temperatures, the likelihood of extreme weather cycles are also coming into play. Warmer temperatures lead to more frequent droughts, and vice versa, leaving the river and its tributaries constantly under threat. The higher temperatures also increase water’s evaporation rate, again, leaving the waters of the Mississippi under threat.
However, along with the changes in temperatures, scientists have noted a decrease in the acidity of the Mississippi’s waters due to the reduced industrial activity in and around the river. This bringing some positivity to the Mississippi River and its ecosystems.
When faced with climate change, the issue is too large to be tackled alone, and any plan to combat its effects should involve both citizens and authorities. This way, everyone in the community can be part of the fight and help make a difference.
