The Mississippi River is one of the largest rivers in the world and it drains much of the continental United States and parts of Canada, Mexico and Central America. The river and its tributaries form a drainage basin, stretching from the Appalachians in the east and the Rocky Mountains in the west to the Gulf of Mexico. How many states make up the Mississippi River drainage basin? The answer is 34.
The river itself travels more than 2,350 miles and enters the Gulf of Mexico near New Orleans, Louisiana. Its main tributaries are the Missouri, Cumberland, Arkansas and Ohio Rivers. Additional tributaries include the Tennessee, Red and Souris Rivers, plus the Minnesota, St. Croix, St. Lawrence and James River.
The Mississippi River drainage basin includes parts of 31 U.S. states and two provinces in Canada. Those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The two provinces in Canada are Manitoba and Ontario.
The Mississippi River drainage basin is divided into two areas: the Upper Basin, which is the portion of the basin upstream of Cairo, Illinois; and the Lower Basin, which extends from Cairo to the Gulf Coast. Cairo is considered the dividing point between the two sections.
Major cities located within the Mississippi River drainage basin are St. Louis and Kansas City in Missouri, Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee, and New Orleans in Louisiana. About 70 million people live in the states and provinces that make up the Mississippi River drainage basin. This reflects a substantial increase since the 1800s when there were fewer than 500,000 people living in the basin.
The Mississippi River has long been an important economic resource for people living in the basin area. Most commercial activity revolves around the river and its tributaries, which provide transportation, shipping, drinking water and recreational opportunities. The basin’s major agricultural products include wheat, corn, rice, soybeans and hay, with the majority grown in the wetter areas of the Upper Basin.
Importance of Mississippi River Drainage Basin
The Mississippi River plays an important role in the environment and ecology of the United States. Its drainage basin covers close to half of the land area of the United States and provides invaluable aquatic habitats. It is a major contributor to the ecosystem services such as nutrient and sediment removal, flood control, and water supply.
The Mississippi River basin is an incredibly diverse area with dozens of distinct ecosystems. The high biodiversity of the basin is due to the range of climates found across the region. It is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, fish, and aquatic invertebrates.
The basin’s natural resources are an important part of the economy of the region. Millions of acres of forests, grasslands, and wetlands provide timber, soil, water, food, and recreation. The Mississippi River is also a major source of hydroelectric power due to the many dams built along its length.
The Mississippi River drainage basin is of cultural importance as well. Long before Europeans arrived in the region, Native Americans lived in and around the basin. Even today, many indigenous tribes retain cultural and spiritual connections to the river.
Environmental Challenges in Mississippi River Drainage Basin
Despite its importance, the Mississippi River and its drainage basin face a number of environmental challenges. Many of these challenges are the result of human activities such as pollution, habitat destruction, and over-harvesting of fish and other aquatic species.
Water pollution is one of the most serious problems in the basin. Nutrient runoff from agricultural land, sewage, industrial waste, and a number of other sources have depleted oxygen levels in the river and have caused algal blooms in some areas. Additionally, the uncontrolled extraction of groundwater is leading to a steady decrease in the water table.
Habitat destruction is also an issue in the basin. Wetlands, the unique ecotypes found in the basin, are some of the most productive and species-rich ecosystems in the world. They are also among the most threatened, with much of the wetland habitat having been converted for agricultural use or lost due to erosion and rising sea levels.
The unchecked harvesting of fish and other aquatic species is another major challenge. Overfishing has led to drastic reductions in the numbers of some species and has impacted the overall balance of the basin’s ecosystems.
Conservation and Preservation Efforts
To address these environmental welfare hazards, a variety of conservation efforts are in place. Federal, state, and local governments are working together to protect and restore the resources of the basin.
The largest conservation program is the Wetlands Reserve Program, which compensates landowners for wetland conservation, restoration, and enhancement. Additionally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has built several flood control structures along the Mississippi River.
Many non-governmental organizations, such as the Nature Conservancy and the Environmental Defense Fund, are involved in protecting and managing the resources of the basin. These organizations are working to ensure that the natural habitats of the basin remain intact while promoting sustainable economic development.
The Mississippi River is an integral part of the North American landscape, and its resources are of vital importance to the people and wildlife living in the basin. The conservation efforts of governments, organizations, and individuals are essential to ensure the health of the basin and its species.
Environmental Impact of Human Activity
Human activity has a strong influence on the environment in the Mississippi River basin. Unfortunately, much of it is destructive. Popular activities such as burning fossil fuels for energy production, industrial activities, and even recreational activities such as boating and swimming can have negative impacts on the environment.
Excess nitrogen from fertilizer runoff is a major problem, leading to algal blooms that deplete oxygen from the water, killing off aquatic life. Habitat destruction is also a major issue, as more and more land is converted for agricultural and urban use. Overfishing is also a major issue, as the fish populations are being severely depleted.
Human activity is also a major contributor to climate change, which threatens the existence of the basin. A warming climate means a decrease in water availability and an increase in water temperatures, both of which can be detrimental to the basin’s ecosystems.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the human impact on the basin. Improving water quality by reducing runoff from agricultural land, reducing water consumption, and implementing green energy sources can all have positive impacts on the environment.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River and its drainage basin are an integral part of the North American landscape, and their importance cannot be overstated. There are currently 34 states and two provinces that make up the Mississippi River drainage basin, which is home to millions of people. Though the basin has long been a major economic resource for the region, it has also faced a number of environmental challenges, many of which are the result of human activity.
Fortunately, conservation efforts are in place to protect and restore the resources of the basin. Governments, organizations, and individuals must all work together to ensure the long-term health of the Mississippi River and its drainage basin.
