Geographical Reach of the Mississippi River
The mighty Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States and one of the most important. It is over 2,320 miles long and starts in northwest Minnesota and ends in the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River, with its tributaries, drains a total of 31 states (i.e 31 states touch the river) and two Canadian provinces. In a sense, the ‘father of waters’ links two of the ‘great rivers of North America’, the Missouri River and the Ohio River.
The Mississippi River Basin, which covers around 1.2 million square miles, is the fourth-largest in the world. It contains all or part of 31 states and two Canadian provinces, of which the greatest part covers eleven states. Mississippi River basin helps to limit the effect of periodic flooding of the Midwest’s ‘Great Plains’ region, creating an extra shield of safety amidst strong storms. Thus, the land produces abundant agricultural crops and helps to prevent destruction of land and water resources.
Soils Along the Mississippi
Different soils along the Mississippi River support different types of vegetation. Mentionable types include clay soils, sand soils, and loam soils. Clay soil is ideal for crops such as hemp, rice, and agricultural crops. Sand soil that is found especially in the south lends well to the growth of richer vegetation and agricultural crops such as cotton and corn. Lastly, loam soil is ideal for good crop stress and fruits and vegetables.
Agricultural fields also benefit from yearly deposits of sediment from the combined floods of tributary rivers and the Mississippi River. The dissipation of overbank floods, in particular, helps to shed thousands of tons of sediment onto seasonal nearshore agricultural fields during the spring floods. This process naturally replenishes the soil with nutrients, aiding the growth of crop in the area.
The navigational use of the Mississippi is a major draw for city and state planners whose aim is to incentivize transportation and trade. The river is heavily used as a trade route to transport a variety of goods and products. By providing multiple ports of entry along the river, riverside communities have easy access to the world-wide trade routes. This has especially been beneficial to the agricultural businesses located in the southeastern states.
There are also a large number of locks and dams along the river, spanning through multiple locations. The navigation of the river is heavily monitored and regulated in order to maintain safe navigation along its entirety. The flood control of the river, in addition to its navigation, is centrally monitored and managed. This helps to minimize weather and environmental influence and possible flooding to those low-lying areas.
Recreational Activities of the River
The Mississippi River is a great attraction for recreational activities and vacations. Boaters, fisherman and other water lovers have easy access to the river as well as its many tributaries. The many wildlife species protected by the river are also a popular draw for nature lovers and photographers. There are many wildlife sanctuaries and parks along the banks of the Mississippi, created by the US Fish and Wildlife
Service and the Army Corps of Engineers.
The Mississippi is also a great destination for those looking to explore the region’s culture. There are various cultural spots along the river, including a vast array of historical sites, museums, and much more. From exploring the region’s music, food, and people, the Mississippi River serves as a great location for cultural exploration and education.
Strength of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is one of the most resilient rivers in the United States. A combination of navigational locks and dams, strong flood control, and other safety and security measures throughout the watershed make it one of the safest and most reliable rivers in the country. In addition, the river’s long-term nourishment and ability to propagate floods and sediment replenishment prove to be of great service to states and communities located along the river.
The environmental protection policies of the Mississippi also ensure that the river remains an important resource. By protecting the water’s supply and controlling the movement of pollutants and sediments throughout the entire system, this allows states and communities to continue to benefit from the river’s many services.
Environmental Impact of the Mississippi
The Mississippi River is heavily used for transportation and power generation. The increasing demand for energy is putting a strain on the river’s resources. While boats and other vessels using the river are powered by the river’s flow and tides, there are large power plants generating hydroelectricity or thermal energy given off by the burning of fossil fuels. While the production of such energy is helpful, the toxic by-products released into the environment can be dangerous.
It is also important to note that climate change is impacting the river in a number of ways. The melting of glaciers, for example, contributed to the flooding of the Gulf Coast and threatened the safety of communities near the river. Warmer temperatures have also caused increased evaporation, thus leading to less water, reduced agricultural production and an overall decrease in the quality of water in the area.
Ecosystems of the River
The Mississippi River is a great source of biodiversity and is home to over 370 species of fish. The fishes play a crucial role in the ecology and economy of the region by regulating oxygen in the water, providing food, and attracting investors and tourists. In addition, the river also provides a home to numerous species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
The diversity and complexity of the Mississippi River also supports several habitats, including shallow pools, wetlands, marshes, floodplains, and the unfathomable depths of the river. This provides refuge to numerous species of aquatic plants and animals, such as turtles, mussels, and plankton.
The Mississippi River supports over 800 species that constitute its diverse and vibrant natural ecosystem. This also helps create a food web that comprises numerous organisms and hundreds of aquatic animals. Although damming and navigational activities have caused a reduction in the number of species living in the river, the river continues to support a variety of wildlife and is a great way to promote biodiversity.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River plays an important role in the United States. Between its navigational use, recreational activities, agricultural use, and its many ecosystems, it is a source of immense strength and vitality for the communities that it nourishes. There is no doubt that the river continues to be an integral part of the country’s success and prosperity.
