The Mississippi River may be the fourth longest river in the world, but its immense size is not the only thing that sets it apart from other rivers. The astounding volume of freshwater the Mississippi River discharges into the Gulf of Mexico is enough to render it one of the world’s most important natural phenomena. Every day, the river expels around 416 million gallons of water into the Gulf. That’s equivalent to eighteen Olympic-sized swimming pools!
The sheer volume of water the Mississippi River discharges is hindered by geography and other human-induced factors. Its main tributary, the Missouri River, is located in the North and Midwest areas of the United States, where the weather can be quite extreme. During the winter months, temperatures can easily drop below zero and cause excessive icing in waterways, leading to limited discharge. On the other hand, during the hot summer months, evaporation, seepage and other water-loss mechanisms that occur amidst high temperatures, can further reduce an already limited discharge.
The size of the Mississippi River and surrounding boreal forests also play a role in the volume of water it discharges. The forests surrounding and intermingling with the river provide it with debris such as leaves, branches, and soil particles, which become lodged in the river’s sediment. This buildup of debris causes the river to be narrower, resulting in reduced water discharge.
Human activities such as farming and mining can also affect the amount of water the Mississippi River discharges. Fertilizers and nitrates used for crop irrigation can lead to a process known as “eutrophication”, in which an excessive amount of nutrients end up in the river and disrupt the delicate balance of ecosystems.
In addition to this, silt from mining activities can impede the flow of the river and reduce the volume of water carried by the Mississippi. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data, urbanization and deforestation activities have decreased the Mississippi River’s velocity and area of surface water. This, in turn, limits the amount of water available to be discharged.
Despite these hiccups, experts maintain that the Mississippi River can still discharge a substantial amount of water. They point to climate change as one of the most pressing factors influencing the rate of water discharge. According to a 2015 report by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, rising global temperatures are leading to a decrease in the amount of freshwater available to rivers, contributing to the lower rate of discharge.
Impacts of Low Mississippi River Discharge
When its rate of discharge is too low, the Mississippi River has the potential to cause serious ecological and economical problems. Reduced flow decreases the transport of sediments and nutrients from upstream, leading to more saline areas downstream. This phenomenon becomes more detrimental during drought seasons, when limited water flow and rising temperatures lead to greater levels of salinity.
Low discharge can also lead to the degradation of natural streams, ecological collapse of animal habitats, and algae blooms. Furthermore, decreased amounts of water cause an increase in the concentration of pollutants in remaining river water. This causes various clashes between industries and farmers in need of water, which can have consequent economic impacts.
This is why scientists are obsessed with measuring the river’s flow. With enough longitudinal and cross-sectional measurements of the river’s surface water levels and water temperatures, they can calculate the rate of water discharge and make decisions that can improve the quantity and quality of water.
Restoration Efforts
Various groups have come together to make efforts to restore the Mississippi. Many of these groups focus on the development of strategies that aim to reduce water-loss mechanisms, such as minimizing riverbank erosion, developing wetlands, setting up water containment reservoirs, and implementing best practices of water use.
Citizens also play a key role in the restoration of the Mississippi. Many towns and cities have implemented rainwater harvesting systems that store rainwater for future use. Furthermore, the optimization of water-use has been encouraged through campaigns such as “Ditch the Disposable”, which promotes the use of eco-friendly products, such as reusable containers and bottles, in order to create a more sustainable way of living.
The Mississippi is also being restored through the land itself. By providing flood control, reforestation, and fertilization of soils, the river’s effects on the surrounding areas can be mitigated and stream banks can be stabilized.
These projects are carried out by various organizations ranging from universities to non-profits, and corporations to local communities. Their restoration efforts, while they cannot completely undo the damage, can surely help the river flow healthily and sustainably.
Effect on Local Ecosystems
The Mississippi River also affects the surrounding ecosystems and creatures in an area. To analyze the impacts of the river and its discharge on the local environment, researchers conduct tests that measure and compare the quality of the water and its effects on the environment.
Through these inspections, researchers are able to determine what kind of creatures live in the river and in its estuaries, measure the composition of the water, and decide if the rate of discharge is suitable for the aquatic life in the river. The data allow experts to accurately compare different species and determine how well the river is supplying and receiving oxygen-enriched water.
The findings from the studies show that the rate of the Mississippi River’s discharge can have a substantial impact on the surrounding ecosystems. Low discharge can lead to the concentration of pollutants, which can eliminate aquatic species, decrease the size of fish populations, and endanger the livelihoods of millions of species. Thus, understanding the rate of water discharge is integral for the protection of ecosystems and the creatures that inhabit them.
Lawsuits Against Mississippi River Discharge
The Mississippi is not just an environmental issue, it’s a legal one as well: many lawsuits have been filed attempting to regulate and reduce the amount of water that is discharged into the Gulf of Mexico. In 2017, the state of Louisiana sued several oil and gas companies who have been alleged to have taken part in polluting the Mississippi River. These companies have been accused of not complying with the Clean Water Act, which is a EPA enforcement document that establishes benchmarks to limit pollution.
In response to the lawsuit, several companies have proposed developing a series of wetlands and other water-repair initiatives to help reduce the amount of pollutants. It has also been proposed that the companies educate the public on pollution, and how to reduce oil and gas spillages into the river.
Regardless of the target, the main issue at stake is that the lower rate of water discharge is not only leading to the destruction of the surrounding ecosystems, it is also affecting the safety and wellbeing of citizens by presenting a risk of drinking water contamination. If the water in the Mississippi River is contaminated, it will take years before the ecosystem is restored, and this is why it is so crucial to reduce the rate of water discharge.
Conclusion
All in all, what’s clear is that the discharge rate of the Mississippi River has both environmental and economic repercussions. To keep the river in its pristine state and ensure the safety of human lives, it is paramount to proactively work on the reduction of water-loss mechanisms. With the help of communities, educational efforts and the restoration of the Mississippi River can help guarantee a safer and healthier future for everyone.
