The flow of water from the Mississippi River
As one of the largest and most powerful rivers in the United States, the Mississippi’s flow has been an integral part of the American economy for generations. While the Mississippi’s natural flow is highly variable, it does have average annual flow of 687,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). This translates to an estimated 7.5 trillion gallons of water, much of which is used for agriculture, energy production, and other applications. According to the United States Geological Survey, the Mississippi River’s total flow has increased by over 5,000 cfs from 1978-2019.
Flow regulation of the river is a top concern for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other governmental organizations. Human-made infrastructure has been used to control the amount of water entering the Mississippi and its tributaries since the 19th century, with the main objective of maintaining navigability for river traffic. The Army Corps of Engineers operates numerous dams and reservoirs throughout the Upper Mississippi watershed, which maintain the controlled levels of water in the river. The Corps and other agencies are continually monitoring and adjusting the operations of these structures and others, such as the Bonnet Carré Spillway, in order to mitigate flooding in the New Orleans area.
In addition to controlling floodwaters and regulating the flow of the Mississippi River, the Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for maintaining water levels downstream so as to prevent serious droughts. This is accomplished in three ways: by releasing water from the upstream projects, such as the Red River Basin; by pumping water from the Atchafalaya and Mississippi embayments; and by controlling the release of water from the reservoirs.
The federal agencies responsible for controlling the Mississippi’s flow are certainly doing their best to ensure the river’s resources are used efficiently and safely. Nevertheless, there is still much that can be done to improve water management in the Mississippi River. To start, there are effective solutions to reduce the amount of pollution being introduced into the river. Nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff can damage the delicate ecosystem of the river, so limiting their use in fertilizer and pesticides could have a significant environmental impact.
In addition, restoring and preserving the river’s remaining wetlands can help protect water quality. Wetlands provide natural filtration and reduce flooding, both of which are essential to maintain a healthy ecosystem. According to the Nature Conservancy, almost 60% of the remaining Missouri River wetlands are under complete protection, while the rest are subject to activities that can damage its quality. By preserving wetlands, both the quantity and quality of the Mississippi River’s water can be improved.
Nevertheless, effective water management of the Mississippi River requires the collaboration of government agencies, industry, and the public.The Arkansas Water Resources Center notes that the successful management of the Mississippi requires an understanding of the river’s natural variability, including its seasons and floods. With everyone working together for the common good, we can ensure the future of the Mississippi River and reap the many benefits its waters can provide.
Human Impact on the Mississippi River Flow
While the Mississippi River’s flow is largely determined by natural processes, its human impact cannot be understated. As the fifth-longest river in the world, the Mississippi has long been subjected to the demands of human progress. Damming the Mississippi for hydropower, water supply storage, and water transportation has been used since the 19th century, and this has drastically affected the river’s natural flow.
The impact of human activities on the Mississippi River’s flow goes even further. Over the past decades, the intensification of agricultural and industrial activities has caused extreme nutrient loading to the river. This has caused the rapid growth of aquatic weeds, decreasing the amount of light and oxygen entering the water. As a result, the river’s natural flow has become much more unpredictable, making it difficult to manage the river’s resources.
Aside from agricultural runoff, the Mississippi River’s flow has also been altered due to other human activities, such as urban and industrial development. As large cities and industries developed over the years, the amount of wastewater being discharged into the Mississippi increased significantly. This large influx of wastewater has created a substantial amount of pollution in the river, leading to degraded water quality and posing risks to the health of aquatic wildlife.
Overall, human activities in recent years have had a major impact on the Mississippi River’s flow. It is essential to responsibly manage the river, not only to protect it from further degradation from human activity, but also to ensure that the river’s many benefits are shared equitably with the people and communities that rely on it.
Alternative Methods of Flow Management
Traditional methods of flow management generally involve controlling the volume of water entering the Mississippi River so as to prevent serious flooding and droughts. While this approach has been successful in many areas, there are other sustainable strategies that can be employed to enhance the natural flow of the Mississippi. These methods focus on restoring the ecosystem of the Mississippi, as well as improving the water quality.
The Nature Conservancy, for example, advocates for restoring wetland habitats in the Upper Mississippi valley to help protect the river’s water quality and reduce floodwaters. The increased vegetation in these areas can also serve as a natural filter, trapping pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus before they reach the river.
Another alternative to traditional flow management is stormwater control. Recent research has found that strategically placed berms and other structures can help minimize the runoff of rainwater and snowmelt, lessening the impact of storms on the river’s flow. These systems are also advantageous in that they can be implemented quickly and more cheaply than traditional methods, such as reservoirs and dams.
In addition, the use of green infrastructure techniques has proven to be a viable solution for managing the flow of the Mississippi. These techniques, such as riparian buffer zones, help to absorb sunlight and increase water temperatures, the latter of which helps to increase the oxygen levels in the water. This not only reduces pollution, but also helps to restore habitats for native fish species.
In summary, there are many ways in which we can ensure the future of the Mississippi River by enhancing the flow of water through alternative management techniques. These techniques can help reduce pollution and improve water quality, while also restoring ecological communities and providing benefits to those who depend on the river.
Understanding the Impact of Climate Change
As we continue to work on preserving and protecting the Mississippi River, we must also consider the impact of climate change on the water flow. Climate change is causing severe droughts and floods in the area, making it increasingly difficult to maintain the river’s supply of water.
Recent research suggests that climate change has already caused a decrease in the river’s flow. One study, published in 2019, found that temperatures in the Upper Mississippi watershed have risen significantly since the 1970s, leading to an increase in evaporation and decreased runoff. The authors argue that if these trends continue, the water levels in the Mississippi River could drop by up to 20% by the end of this century.
The warming of the atmosphere is also likely to reduce the efficiency of water storage by dams. As temperatures continue to rise, dams will hold less water for a longer period of time and will be less effective in controlling floods and droughts. This means that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will have to invest in new water management technologies in order to maintain the river’s flow.
In conclusion, climate change is likely to have a major impact on the flow of the Mississippi River. If we are to successfully manage the river’s resources in the future, we must take steps to mitigate the effects of climate change and invest in sustainable water management technologies.
The Benefits of Managing the Mississippi River Flow
The Mississippi River is an important source of water for millions of people in the United States. It provides a number of essential benefits, ranging from irrigation for farming, to sources of hydropower, and recreational areas for fishing. It is essential to maintain the flow of the river so as to ensure these resources are available for generations to come.
Efficient water storage and management of the river can also help prevent catastrophic floods. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for example, has built numerous dams and reservoirs which help regulate the flow of the Mississippi during periods of high water. Human-made infrastructure is essential for providing communities with protection from floods, and for supplying water during times of drought.
From an economic point of view, the Mississippi River is vitally important to the United States. It is the primary source of transportation for numerous goods, and it helps provide jobs to numerous industries, such as fishing and shipping. The river also provides water to agricultural operations and industrial facilities, allowing them to remain profitable.
Overall, the flow of the Mississippi River is integral to the economic and ecological wellbeing of the United States. It is essential to ensure its resources are managed efficiently and responsibly so as to preserve its numerous benefits for generations to come.
