The Mississippi River is quite possibly the most iconic river in the United States, with its winding course and expansive floodplain influencing much of the Central and Midwestern regions of the country. It is also the nation’s fourth longest river, stretching out to 3,734 miles from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Along its wide-reaching course, the Mississippi River acts as a divider between the states it passes through – providing an opportunity to understand just how many states have the Mississippi River as their border.
The states that border the Mississippi River can be divided into two categories: states that have the river as their eastern border and those that have it as their western border. Starting from Minnesota and going southwards, the states that have the Mississippi River as their eastern border are Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. To the west of the river are Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and Arkansas. Thus, all together, there are 10 states that have the Mississippi River as a border.
It is easy to see why so many states have formed their western or eastern boundaries along the long, meandering body of the Mississippi River – not only is it such an illustrious natural landmark, but it also marks the divide between the two distinct cultural regions of the Midwest and the Southeast. Furthermore, the Mississippi river also serves as a major waterway that facilitates the transportation of goods and services in all the states.
In fact, the Mississippi has long been a useful asset to states along its borders. In modern times, it has become an important source of electricity generation, with hydroelectric power plants operating along the river’s shores. These power plants are controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for maintaining the Mississippi River for flood control, navigation, recreation, and other functions. Additionally, the river has become a vital artery for agricultural transport in one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the country.
Furthermore, the Mississippi River also plays a part in the tourism industry of the states that shares it. Numerous communities have sprung up along the river, and visitors come from near and far to marvel at its grandeur and enjoy the various recreational activities it offers. Many states also offer special Mississippi River tours, giving people the opportunity to experience the river firsthand and understand the significance it holds for the region.
Therefore, it is clear that the Mississippi River is an extremely integral part of the lives of the people living in the 10 states it borders. It serves not only as a natural boundary and a major river course, but also as a connection between distinct cultures, a provider of economic activity, and a source of natural beauty. Thus, the Mississippi River will continue to be an important part of these states for years to come.
Agricultural Significance
Besides being a natural and tourist resource, the Mississippi River also has immense agricultural significance for the states along its banks. Fundamentally, the Mississippi River serves as the primary source of irrigation and water supply for the large number of agricultural operations scattered throughout its banks. The river also serves as a major transport conduit for agricultural goods, allowing producers to move their wares to key markets in the Midwest and the Southeast. Additionally, the river also helps to harvest fish, crabs, shrimp, and other marine species along its considerable length.
The presence of the Mississippi River is also integral to the profitable activities of farming in the region. While it contributes significantly to the irrigation of crops and livestock, it is even more important in providing navigational support for assisting with the shipping of the agricultural goods. Without the river, these transportation operations would have to operate solely through land transportation, adding time and cost to the shipping of goods. According to the United States Geological Survey, the Mississippi River is used to transport over 200 million tons of products every year, with agriculture playing a major role in this activity.
The collaboration between the infrastructure and technology of the Mississippi River has systematically improved the profitability of agricultural operations that are situated along the banks of the river. It has also enabled the states that lie within its limits to reap the benefits of agricultural production and direct transportation, allowing them to bring in large revenues and sustain their economies. Thus, it can be said that the vertical integration of the Mississippi River with the agricultural industry has been a major driver of economic success within the region.
Environmental Impacts
However, the Mississippi River is not without its environmental drawbacks – its banks are susceptible to many forms of water pollution that greatly reduce its biodiversity. The waterway faces issues of waterborne diseases, caused by pollutants from sewage treatment plants, industrial facilities, and agricultural runoff. These pollutants include fertilizers, pesticides, and other organic compounds that contaminate the Mississippi River and its tributaries, making the water unsafe for human consumption or bathing activities.
In addition, the river’s banks also suffer from chemical pollution, which enters the water bodies through various sources, including petrol or diesel spills as well as construction activities, and leads to the eutrophication of water, reducing its oxygen levels and causing the depletion of aquatic populations. Such drastic reductions in oxygen levels, according to a report by the Environmental Protection Agency, are a particularly dangerous hazard to the Mississippi River because they may lead to a decrease in the river’s ability to provide life-sustaining fish and other aquatic species.
The Mississippi River is also negatively impacted by oil extraction and mining operations. As the river is used heavily for transportation and fuel needs, oil spills can be a major problem. However, the most serious oil pollution is generated by extraction operations, which involve the spilling of oil and chemicals directly into the river. Such disasters commonly occur when rows of poorly maintained pipelines leak or when blowouts and overturned oil rigs contaminate massive amounts of water.
Examples of Conservation
In an attempt to reverse the damage caused by years of neglect, various states that share the Mississippi River have begun taking steps to conserve and protect its resources. For example, in Illinois, the state has adopted new strategies to reduce chemical and sediment pollution, as well as adopted initiatives to increase public access to the waterway. Similarly, Iowa has also initiated a number of efforts to ensure the health and protection of the river, such as reducing agricultural and urban runoff and ultimately minimizing water pollution. In Arkansas, the Governor has called for the enhancement of wetland protections in the state and the continued improvement of the water quality of the Mississippi River.
At the national level, the Clean Water Act of 1972 set pollution standards throughout the country and emphasized the protection of the nation’s waterways, including the Mississippi River. This Act was updated in 1987, with a heightened focus on reducing water contamination and controlling the discharges of hazardous pollutants. In addition, the Fish and Wildlife Protection Act of 1990 also set restrictions on chemical and pesticide usage and created a fund to promote recreational activities at the riverside.
Thus, a number of actions have been taken in order to curb the environmental damage caused to the Mississippi River. While there is certainly still much room for improvement, these steps have helped to reduce water pollution to the river and have allowed for the people of the states along the river to reclaim its usage for recreational activities.
Economic Impacts
Despite the pollution caused by human activities, the Mississippi River still provides a range of economic benefits to states in its basin. According to a report by the National Wildlife Federation, the Mississippi River generates an estimated $500 billion of economic activity annually and directly contributes $250 billion in economic output to the United States. Of this total, $200 billion comes from the transportation, farming, and energy sectors of the economy – sectors that benefit from the river’s resources.
The states along the banks of the Mississippi River also greatly benefit from the production of hydroelectric power from the river’s waters – hydroelectricity makes up a significant portion of electricity generation in the region. Additionally, industries along the river can take advantage of low-cost shipping opportunities that the Mississippi River facilitates. In turn, the railroad and barge industries reap tremendous benefits, with the river acting as an essential link between the Midwest and the Southeast.
The Mississippi River has also been an important part of the recreation industry in the United States, with 23 national parks, 15 national wildlife refuges, and 11 national forests located within its banks. These areas attract millions of tourists annually, who come to explore and appreciate the cultural and natural beauty of the Mississippi River. Thus, the presence of the Mississippi River has heavily contributed to the economic vibrancy of the states located along it.
Policy Implications
Due to the immense economic and environmental implications of the Mississippi River, it is evident that appropriate policies are needed to ensure its protection. While there have been efforts to reduce water pollution and restore the river for recreational activities, there is still much that needs to be done in order to ensure its continued validity as a major resource for the 10 states it borders. This includes a greater investment in clean water technologies, stricter enforcement of pollution standards, and more funding for conservation efforts.
The U.S. government has also proposed a series of policies to help improve water quality and ecosystem health in the Mississippi River, including the Clean Water Act, the Estuary Program, and the Clean Energy Plan, all of which set further restrictions and standards of pollutants in the river. Additionally, several states have established river water quality standards and enacted stronger regulations on agricultural and industrial discharges, providing more protections for the Mississippi River.
All in all, the preservation of the Mississippi River is vital to the well-being of the 10 states that it borders. Its wide-reaching importance cannot be overstated, and thus it is essential that the governments of the states in the Mississippi River valley continue to invest in its conservation and protection. Such actions will go a long way to ensure the river’s viability for years to come.
