The mighty Mississippi river runs through 10 states (Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) winding its way across 2,530 miles of US land. As one of the world’s longest rivers, the Mississippi river starts in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, heading out across the US gathering steam and becoming wider and deeper as it collects water from 35 states and two Canadian provinces. It wasn’t until 1920 that the river was finally connected by locks–beginning inside the Minnesota border and ending near the Gulf of Mexico.
The Mississippi River is crucial for commerce and the economy of those 10 states. In 2018, the river generated $90 billion of economic output and 581,422 jobs. In addition to providing irrigation to 6,770,000 acres of cropland, the river is used for transportation of sandwiches, Petroleum products, Farm crops and chemicals to many of the US’s largest cities.
Apart from its importance as a transportfor goods, the Mississippi river also serves as a tool to connect people and cultures. In 2015, the Mississippi River Coalition created the ‘Great Rivers Confluence’ – an initiative to encourage people to come together to celebrate, protect, and care for the Mississippi River’s highest-value habitats. Extensive efforts are being made to clean the river from pollution.
Environmental and Ecosystem Benefits
The Mississippi River is home to a variety of wildlife and plants essential for a healthy ecosystem. More than 200 species of fish, 300 species of birds, and 80 species of mammals live, migrate, and breed in the Mississippi River’s wetlands, backwaters, and alluvial forests. This diverse and complex river ecosystem is also important for sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, a greenhouse gas that is threatening the planet. Water research expert Jeff Opperman says, “there’s evidence that water-based ecosystems in the floodplain can absorb something like four times as much carbon as a forest can.”
River Pollution
Despite its many benefits, the Mississippi river faces some serious threats, particularly from pollution. Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) or “runoff” pollution is caused primarily by pesticides, fertilizer, and sediment which seep into the river’s waters when it rains heavily. These chemicals are harmful to the river’s ecosystem and can cause health issues for people and animals living along the riverbanks. Pesticides and fertilizer can kill fish, damage the habitat and can cause algae to grow in harmful levels.
To combat this pollution, many states are taking part in the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force. This task force educates local communities and stakeholders about how to reduce their contribution to water pollution and to increase awareness of the health of the river’s water system.
Health of the Mississippi River
Recent studies have shown that the health of the Mississippi River is improving. The US Geological Survey (USGS) has been monitoring the Mississippi since 2003 and recent findings show that water quality has improved steadily since that time. While pollutants are still a problem, they appear to be reducing. In 2019, the USGS released a report indicating that the Mississippi River is showing “signs of recovery” by having fewer pollutants in its waters.
During the same year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a report indicating that the water quality of the Mississippi had improved, with pollutant levels declining significantly. The EPA’s director of the Office of Water, Dave Ross, said that “we see a real improvement in water quality in the Mississippi River, particularly in the last decade”.
Urbanization of the Mississippi River
Urbanization is an increasing issue for the Mississippi River. Cities on the banks of the Mississippi often pour pollutants into the waters including industrial pollutants, sewagetreatment plant effluents, automobile emissions, and agricultural runoff. Urbanization isn’t just an environmental concern; it can also be a threat to public health. Runoff of pollutants can lead to water contamination and higher levels of contaminants in fish and shellfish in the river, which can cause illness and disease.
Heather Newton, assistant professor of biology at Louisiana State University, has recently documented how urbanization of the Mississippi River has reduced the availability of crucial nutrient-rich floodplain habitat for the river’s wildlife. She comments “It’s really concerning how much habitats have been degraded in these areas along the river. Urbanization itself is also increasing temperatures and changing the hydrology of these areas, which can further increase stress for the organisms living there.”
Designated Uses of the Mississippi River
The US Clean Water Act sets out different “designated uses” for different parts of the Mississippi River, ranging from recreation and industrial to aquatic life and public water. The different designated uses put limitations on the amount of pollutants allowed in the water and ensure that the river is healthy and safe to use.
The EPA also establishes water quality standards and criteria to protect public health and maintain the integrity of designated uses of the water body. In 2015 and 2017, the agency issued standards setting numeric criteria for nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, specific to the Mississippi River Basin based on data collected.
Restoration Projects
A number of restoration projects are being carried out along the Mississippi river. Organisations such as TheNatureConservancy and the Army Corps of Engineers are working to restore wetlands and floodplains, in order to protect the river from erosion and runoff.
The American Rivers Environmental Initiative is a project that has been launched to restore the health and natural resources of the Mississippi river, while also increasing its economic opportunities. The goal of the project is to reduce pollution and restore the river’s wetlands and aquatic habitat. The initiative also helps communities along the river to develop sustainable recreational, tourism and fisheries processes tailored to manage the river’s health.
Environmental Governance of the Mississippi
Environmental governance of the Mississippi river comes from both state and federal governments. The EPA, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Fish and Wildlife Service all have jurisdiction over different parts of the river. There are also state and local water quality standards in each state through which the river passes, managed by state and local agencies.
Organizations like the Mississippi River Commission focus their efforts on developing strategies for maintaining and utilizing the river’s resources in an ecologically and economically sound way. The Commission plays an important role as an advocacy group, and works together with state and federal agencies, non-profits, and other stakeholders to ensure the long-term health of the Mississippi River.
Cultural Significance of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi river has long been a cultural icon in the US, and many of the states in its path have their own stories and histories involving the river. It is well-known to have played an important role in the civil war, and today it continues to be an important part of the American identity.
From the river’s Delta Blues to its bass fishing, from its towboat stories to its Native American tales, the cultural legacy of the Mississippi River is rich and vast. The Mississippi is a symbol of freedom, a source of strength for struggling communities, and a reminder of the beauty of wild and untamed rivers.
Tourism Along the Mississippi River
The 10 states through which the river flows are home to many of the largest cities in the US, each of them a destination for tourists drawn to the river’s unspoiled beauty. From the ancient cypress forests of the Mississippi delta to the historic town of St. Louis, many newly-renovated parks, nature centers and beaches offer a variety of activities and entertainment.
In recent years, the river has generated an array of events such as the Riverplantation Music Festival in Missouri and the Memphis in May International Festival in Tennessee. Riverboat cruises, restaurants, hotels, and casinos are found throughout the river and provide a great way to enjoy the Mississippi.
Mississippi River Challenges
Despite its importance to the region, the Mississippi river is facing many challenges. From climate change to water mismanagement, from riverbank erosion to urban pollution, from declining fish stocks to a decrease in aquatic habitat, these threats make it difficult to ensure the long-term health of the river.
Frequent flooding, soil erosion, and water pollution caused by fertilizer runoff also continue to be major problems for the Mississippi river. To tackle these issues, communities around the river must come together to implement sustainable solutions.
The Mississippi river is an essential part of the US landscape and its vitality is essential for the well-being of the 10 states it runs through. It is an integral part of the American story and provides crucial economic, social and cultural benefits to the region. To ensure the long-term health of the Mississippi river, government agencies, civic organizations, and individuals must work together to protect this precious resource.
