Background Information
The Mississippi River is a major river in the United States. It is the second-longest river in North America, and the longest in the United States, stretching 2,300 miles from its source in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi has played a pivotal role in the settlement and development of the region, and its watershed provides water to ten US states and two Canadian provinces. It is one of the most important navigable rivers in the world, and the river is popularly known for its role in the Louisiana Purchase, the increasing industrialization of the Upper Mississippi, and its famous yearly floods. The history of the Mississippi River is often misunderstood. The creation of the Mississippi is a complex story of physical changes over millions of years, which were shaped by events such as volcanic eruptions and seismic activity.
Formation of the Mississippi Basin
The formation of the Mississippi basin began about 2.6 million years ago, when the Wisconsin Glacial Age glacier flowed south from Canada and the Laurentide Ice Sheet ended its retreat from the Gulf of Mexico. This glacial movement carved out a series of river beds that eventually filled with water and created a vast drainage system known as the Mississippi drainage basin. This area stretched from the northern parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, south to the Gulf of Mexico, west to the Rocky Mountains, and east to the Appalachian Mountains.
As the glacier melted, the rushing waters carved out the modern course of the Mississippi river, filling in the various river valleys and creating the vast Mississippi basin. The outwash plains of the Upper Mississippi valley, which are wide, flat flood plains created by the meltwaters, were formed in this period. Over several million years, the delta of the Mississippi has shifted eastward and southward, constantly receding and eroding away. This process of the eastward-retreating delta, combined with seasonal floods and human influence, has been the cause of the Mississippi Basin’s gradual expansion.
Hazards and Disasters
The basin of the Mississippi River is prone to a variety of natural hazards, including flooding, drought, and earthquakes. Flooding occurs in the basin due to heavy rains and snowmelt as well as on rare occasions due to typhoons and other tropical storms. The flooding of the Mississippi River has played a major role in its formation, as sediment is regularly deposited in the river, widening and deepening its channels. The floods of the Mississippi River are also responsible for the shifting delta, which continues to move eastward and southward.
Droughts can also occur in the basin due to a lack of rainfall over a prolonged period of time. These droughts can lead to lower water levels and further stress the already ecologically strained environment of the Mississippi River. Earthquakes are also a hazard for the basin, with a history of seismic events in the area, including the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812.
Human Influence Through the Years
Human influence upon the Mississippi basin has changed substantially over time, with the regional climate affected by human construction and cultivation. The channelization of the Mississippi River, which began in the early 19th century, has caused a decrease in its natural meandering. The I-310 causeway in Kenner is one example of this human intervention; it is a highway that passes directly through marshland, an area once covered in large trees and grasses.
Additionally, two hundred-plus locks and dams on the river have had a drastic effect on the ecosystem. The dams control the flow of the river, helping reduce flooding risk and also raising the water levels at some points, making the river more accessible to boaters. While these changes can be beneficial in some ways, they can also lead to erosion, destruction of plant and animal habitats, and loss of nutrient-rich, seasonal wetlands.
Environmental Conservation Efforts
Fortunately, efforts have been made in recent decades to conserve and protect the river’s environment. Organizations such as The Nature Conservancy have been working to restore and protect the wetlands and aquatic life of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. In addition, states have implemented various water management policies. For example, the Duraline reservoirs, constructed on the Mississippi, provide a way to store sediment and reduce the amount of flow going down the river. In some areas, sediment is being dredged to maintain navigational depths, while in others it is being trapped within artificial wetlands.
These efforts are supported by new laws that prohibit pollution and also enforce conservation rules on runoff and sediment. Monitoring programs have increased, which help to track the river’s health and identify areas where certain species may be struggling. These conservation efforts, when added together, have resulted in a healthier river environment for future generations.
Economic Influence
The Mississippi River has long been an integral part of the regional economy. For thousands of years, the river has provided a variety of resources for human beings, ranging from trade routes and water for crops to freshwater fish and transportation corridors. The river is still a critically important economic resource today. It provides drinking water, irrigation water, and recreational opportunities, while also servicing barge traffic, power generation, and commercial fishing.
The biomass that lives in the Mississippi River basin is estimated at around 100 million tons, and is made up of a wide range of species, including catfish, carp, bass, shad, and sturgeon. This large biomass contributes to both sport and commercial fishing, which generate around $1 billion in revenue in the US and Canada each year. The river also boosts the economy through its large transportation sector, commonly including barge, cruise, and recreational boat transportation.
Management of the River
The management of the Mississippi River and its associated tributaries has long been a source of controversy. There are multiple stakeholders involved, from government agencies to private interests. While the federal government has the power to control the river and its associated environmental protection organizations, certain states have also taken an active role in setting policies, enforcing regulations, and monitoring activities.
Recently, some states have adopted environmental regulations, such as increasing water levels in certain areas to help protect the river’s ecosystem. In addition, private stakeholder groups, such as the Mississippi River Basin Alliance, are working to actively promote the health of the river and its surrounding environment.
Environmental Impacts
The management of the Mississippi River and its tributaries also has far-reaching environmental impacts. Environmental changes in the basin can have a tremendous effect on the air quality in the area, with pollution from the industrial operations in the Mississippi Basin polluting the air and affecting the health of local communities.
In addition, water levels and quality in the river have been affected by urban runoff and agricultural practices. Runoff from fertilizers, pesticides, and other pollutants can raise nutrient levels and create algal blooms in the river. This can threaten aquatic life and degrade the overall health of the river.
The Future of the Mississippi River
Despite the numerous challenges facing the Mississippi River and its basin, there are many reasons to be optimistic. Conservation efforts, increased research and monitoring, and improved water management plans have all helped protect the river and its surrounding environment.
On the whole, the ecological health of the Mississippi River and its tributaries is slowly improving, with more and more conservation efforts being implemented every day. With continued protection and management, the future of the river and its surrounding ecosystem looks bright.
