How Many Lock and Dams Are on the Mississippi River?
Navigating the Mississippi River is a feat in itself. Spanning 2,348 miles with 1,200lb paddles, it is the fourth longest river in the world and the fifth longest in North America. In addition, the Mississippi River harbors a grand total of 29 Navigational Lock and Dams.
Built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to make travel easier, the lock and dams are responsible for a number of crucial functions including, creating a safe way to cross the river while reducing the amount of human and animal interaction. Unfortunately, the construction of the lock and dams has had a severe environmental impact- creating disturbance in the Mississippi River’s ecosystem by preventing the passage of fish and obstructing migration routes.
The starkest example of this impact is near the Iowa-Minnesota border, where the Upper St. Anthony lock and dam has barricaded the movement of American Eel. American Eel are an important species in the Mississippi River and reside in many Northern American and Caribbean environments. Despite their abundance within the river, the eel have been forced to navigate around the locking system with their population numbers drastically reducing.
The reduction of eel numbers has become cause for alarm in recent years. Conservationists, studying the behaviour and sustainability of the species, note the vast damage done and caution further building of any more dams or barriers. In fact, this distress has been recognized and a new innovation has been underway- acquiring blueprints for the creation of “fish locks”. Under this plan, fish-sized passageways will be produced to allow the safe and unrestricted passage of aquatic life.
This plan has not yet been put into action, but the development of the fish locks are a step in the right direction. The success of the initiative is yet to be determined, but it is encouraging to know that the environment of the Mississippi River is no longer being taken for granted and the eel population may soon be saved.
The Impact of Lock and Dams
The construction of lock and dams have had a substantial negative effect, but this is not to say that all hope is lost. There are some advantages, such as the reduction of travel times on the river and access to new regions of the river in the North and South, that come with the new structures. The unprecedented access has allowed for both recreational activities and the fishing industry to benefit.
This improved infrastructure has provided the protected waters of the Mississippi River with the ability to prosper. Small ships, which would usually require heavier supplies and more manpower, can now travel the depths of the river without worrying about physical obstructions or danger. Furthermore, the locks have removed an important strain from the surrounding environment as the soaring temperatures of the summer months no longer pose a threat or danger to the land.
Overall, the impact of the lock and dam system is a double-edged sword. Although the river is provided with an easier way to travel and preserve its wildlife, it has hindered the passes of its own species and caused much distress to their habitats. More research and development must be done if the river is to remain a consistent force of nature.
National Historical Significance
In addition to its natural importance, the Mississippi River has played a large role in the establishing of the USA. Earning the label of “the nation’s first great highway,” vessels of all sizes were able to traverse the river as well as utilizing its tributaries, feeding off the river to build a natural highway. Settlements were developed and towns were established throughout the entirety of the 19th century.
The need to protect these settlements and ensure the safety of those travelling became necessary and the construction of locks and dams started. As years progressed, more structures were built and the geographical connection between the different river states was now established.
From then on, the usage of the Mississippi River became popular for various sea activities as well as mining and harvesting of resources like timber and shipping coal. The river was also used to feed other waterways and provide additional ports for larger ships to dock.
The usage of the river has had a lasting effect in the USA and is a key source of the nation’s cooperation, economic growth and development. The lock and dam system allows for new opportunities to sprout in the states around the Mississippi and is testament to the unity and bond of one of the world’s oldest countries.
Tanneries and Wildlife Preservation
The impact of the lock and dam system is also seen in the local wildlife, namely the snakes and fish residing in the Mississippi River and its tributaries. From the endangered American Eel population to the blooming populations of wild tilapia, a number of species have been affected by the construction.
However, a more recent environmental initiative has been put into place. As the first stage of ecosystem restoration, the Tanning-Mitchell Wildlife Management Area was set up and funded jointly by Missouri and Illinois, creating an efficient plan to protect the endangered species of the river.
The plan involves the monitoring of regional dams to see how much water is released on a routine basis. This includes the research of the available resources and understand the relation between the amount of freshwater released from the dams and the growth or decline of the wildlife. This includes the installation of fish ladders and other artificial accommodations for the aquatic creatures to traverse.
The Tanning-Mitchell Wildlife Management Area is only in its initial stages but has allowed for better understanding of the existing locking system and how to better improve and protect the wildlife population of the Mississippi.
Preservation and Growth of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River has provided a number of services to the nation, from transportation to recreation and from economic growth to wildlife conservation. Its importance should not be understated, as it is a symbol of America’s growth and unification.
The lock and dam system remains an important feature of the river, even with all its controversial plights. Its advantages need to be realized, alongside the preservation and protection of the endangered species and the aquatic environments. The future of the river relies on how well the two are balanced and preserved.
Conclusion of Plans and Regulations
The future of the Mississippi River is far from certain, with the effects of climate change still unknown, and with the proposed building of more dams in the North, it is uncertain what impact this will have on the surrounding environment. Regulations and laws have been issued in the past to protect the wildlife and the area around the river, but more must be done if the region is to survive and thrive.
American Eel and other aquatic species of the Mississippi River must have their crosses open, and the implementation of fish-sized passageways must be fully enforced. Backing these plans should be the implementation and reinforcing of regional regulation, allowing for the growth and protection of the wildlife within the Mississippi River and its ecosystems.
Pollutants and Wastage
The damage from human pollutant is not restricted to just regional fish or riverside states, as the toxins and contaminants that are released into the waters cause serious harm to the environment. This takes the form of oil runoff, chemical waste, untreated sewage and other human exports, which all cause a considerable amount of damage to the ecosystem.
This water pollution not only affects the fish and other wildlife surrounding the river, but also spreads upstream, damaging the vegetation and surrounding land of the Mississippi River. To help reduce the amount of pollutants that enter the waters, more stringent regulations and oversight must be maintained by local authorities.
In addition to this, the ability to implement recycling programs and encourage waste control must also be tested in order to reduce the amount of garbage that enters the river. The reduction of plastic, food and human waste can have a major effect on the quality of the waters and the productivity of the animals and vegetation that live within the environment.
Challenges Faced by the Mississippi River
Despite its overwhelming historical and cultural importance, the Mississippi River is constantly under threat. The existing lock and dam system has caused considerable damage to the river’s own ecosystem and the surrounding environment and poses a continuous challenge to the preservation and growth of the region.
In addition to this, the rise of cruel and unsustainable fishing practices poses a terrible danger the river. Unregulated trawling, testing and exploration in the river have only furthered the destruction of the ecosystems and have caused the further destruction of species and the habitats of the region.
However, despite all these challenges, the Mississippi River can still be saved and its importance recognized. Its power and beauty have to be preserved and respected, so that we may still witness it in all of its glory in the years to come.
