Covering an area of 1,245,000 square miles, the Mississippi River watershed is the third largest drainage basin in the world, after the Amazon and Congo basins. This impressive river system begins at Lake Itasca in Minnesota and empties into the Gulf of Mexico, its watershed stretching across 31 states in the US and two provinces in Canada. The Mississippi River watershed is fundamental to the lives of millions of people across the continent – water resources, species habitat, navigation, energy production and recreation are just some of the incredible benefits of this system.
The Mississippi River is a vital artery for transportation and communication. Approximately 55 million tons of commercial freight and more than 500 million tons of agricultural goods are transported through the river every year. In addition to this commercial traffic, an estimated 10 million people visit the Mississippi River each year for recreation. Apart from goods and services, the river provides habitat for approximately 300 species of fish and 1,500 species of other wildlife, including many endangered species.
The Mississippi River is the main source of water for about 15 million people living in the Upper and Lower Mississippi basins, and it is estimated that the total population living in the Mississippi River Basin reaches ~60 million people. Popular recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, boating, and jet skiing take place in the river every year, but the most important economic benefit of the Mississippi River is flood control. The watershed provides a natural buffer from flooding in many areas, preventing catastrophic damage to property and livelihoods.
Controlling floods, however, is just one of many ways that the Mississippi Watershed impacts the lives of people living in the basin. Water resources, such as the Mississippi River, promote tourism, support energy production, provide drinking water, and offer recreation and wildlife habitat. In fact, the economic impact of the Mississippi Watershed on tourism alone is estimated to be over $2 billion a year. It is clear that the Mississippi River watershed is much more than just a source of water—it is a vibrant lifeline for millions of people, businesses, and wildlife.
The Mississippi River Watershed has experienced a number of environmental changes over the years. New dams and diversions built in the 1950s and 1960s changed water flow, altered water temperatures, and reduced sedimentation levels. As a result of these changes, invasive species expanded and native species felt the impacts. In addition, drought affected the flow of the river, and extreme weather events like floods and hurricanes have disrupted the ecology of the watershed. These changes have been exacerbated by other environmental issues such as climate change, land use change, and water pollution.
Despite the changes and challenges faced by the Mississippi River watershed, there are a number of ways that organizations, businesses, and individuals are promoting conservation and restoration in the basin. Organizations like the Mississippi River Network are working diligently to restore disrupted river habitat, prevent pollution, and improve water quality. Businesses like the Mississippi River Shipping Association and the Great Lakes Commission are advocating for better management of the watershed and increased funding to support conservation efforts. And individuals are banding together to implement their own conservation efforts and increase awareness of the importance of caring for the Mississippi River watershed.
Stormwater Management
As storms become more and more frequent and intense, stormwater management is becoming an increasingly important part of caring for the Mississippi River Watershed. Rainwater and snowmelt cause flooding and sedimentation in the basin, leading to increased water pollution and habitat destruction. To address this issue, many organizations are working to provide education and assistance to homeowners, businesses, and municipalities on the best practices for stormwater management, such as rain Barrels and rain gardens.
The most effective solution for stormwater management is for cities and towns to implement green infrastructure practices. Green infrastructure includes permeable pavement, rain gardens, rain barrels, green roofs, and urban riparian restoration areas that capture and store stormwater runoff, allowing it to infiltrate into the ground rather than flowing directly into rivers and streams. These methods have been shown to improve water quality and reduce flooding, as well as create habitat for wildlife, while also reducing runoff pollution.
Green infrastructure projects are expensive and may require long-term monitoring and maintenance, so cities and towns need to work with stakeholders and invest in private-public partnerships to ensure their success. In addition, stormwater management should be incorporated into existing management plans to ensure that green infrastructure projects are implemented and monitored effectively.
Water Quality Protection
Another important element of caring for the Mississippi River Watershed is water quality protection. As rivers and streams are dammed, diverted, and polluted, the water quality of the Mississippi River and the entire watershed decreases. This water pollution affects the health and safety of people, wildlife, and other plants in the basin.
To protect water quality, organizations and governments need to work together to implement regulations that reduce pollution and protect water resources. These regulations should include limits on agricultural pollution, stricter regulation of industrial discharges, more stringent enforcement of existing regulations, and more efficient wastewater treatment processes.
In addition, government and organizations should work together to initiate conservation and restoration projects in the Mississippi River Watershed. These projects can include restoration of riparian buffers, removal of invasive species, reforestation, and wetland restoration, all of which can help reduce water pollution and protect water resources in the watershed.
Finally, individuals can do their part to protect water quality in the Mississippi River Watershed. Simple actions like using biodegradable soap, picking up pet waste, and avoiding the use of pesticides and herbicides can prevent excess pollutants from entering the watershed and make a big difference in water quality.
Denitrification Monitoring
Denitrification is the process by which nitrogen is removed from the water, and it is essential for maintaining healthy levels of nitrate concentration in the Mississippi River Watershed. Nitrate is a nutrient that is essential for plant growth, but too much nitrate can lead to algal blooms, hypoxic conditions, and the decline of aquatic species.
In order to monitor and control nitrate concentrations, organizations and governments in the watershed should initiate denitrification monitoring programs that track and report nitrate levels across the watershed. Ideally, this monitoring program should be linked to an adaptive management protocol that can identify sources of nitrate pollution and regulate their discharge or remove them from the watershed altogether.
In addition, organizations should work together to implement best management practices for agriculture, such as buffer strips, cover crops, and reduced tillage, which have been shown to reduce nitrate concentrations in rivers and streams. It is also important to educate farmers and landowners on the importance of protecting water resources in the Mississippi River Watershed and on the best practices for reducing nitrate pollutants.
Sedimentation Management
Sedimentation is the accumulation of soil particles in streams, rivers, and other water bodies. Sedimentation can cause water pollution, reduced water quality, and disruption of aquatic habitats. It can also disrupt the navigation of vessels and other forms of water transportation.
In order to address the issue of sedimentation in the Mississippi River Watershed, governments and organizations can work together to implement watershed-wide sediment management plans. These plans should include best management practices such as riparian buffer strips, reduced tillage, contour farming, terracing, and streambank stabilization. These practices help reduce sediment and promote healthy riparian habitats in the watershed.
In addition, municipalities and businesses should be encouraged to develop and implement stormwater management plans. These plans should include green infrastructure solutions such as rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavement, and urban riparian restoration areas that can help capture, store, and infiltrate stormwater and decrease runoff sediment.
Finally, individuals can help manage sedimentation by planting native vegetation, leaving natural buffers along streams and rivers, and avoiding the use of fertilizers and pesticides. These simple actions can help protect water resources and reduce sedimentation in the Mississippi River Watershed.
