Mississippi River Wide
The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in the United States and the fourth-longest in the world. From its source in Minnesota, the river flows for 2,340 miles through 10 states. It drains a wealth of natural and cultural resources as it winds through the Midwest, finally emptying more than 700 million gallons of fresh water daily into the Gulf of Mexico.
The origins of the river are traced back to 1673 when Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette were the first Europeans to travel along the Mississippi River. It was they who gave the river its name, which translates roughly to “great river” in Anishinaabemowin, a language of the Ojibwe people.
The Mississippi River spans an incredible width of anywhere between 600 to 6.6km (3.7 to 4 miles) in places and significantly widens in medium-sized cities and larger towns at various parts along its journey. Woodlands and marshes along the banks provide a lush habitat for wildlife, forming the second largest watershed in the United States.
The river creates the alluvial floodplain of the Lower Mississippi, known for incredibly rich soil for farming. Louisiana alone is responsible for about 47% of U.S. production of cotton, rice, sugarcane, and soybeans, and much of this is grown in the Lower Mississippi. The northern part of the river, often called the Upper Mississippi, is home to numerous commercial fisheries that rely on the river’s vast network of freshwater tributaries.
The Mississippi River moves at an average speed of 3.3 kilometers per hour, with flow rates ranging anywhere from 564 to 31, 041 cubic meters per second. As the river moves downstream, its natural flow is blocked by human activities, such as constructing dams, levees, and navigation channels, which restrict the river’s width and can further influence its flow speed.
The width of the Mississippi changes drastically based on several factors, including the season, amount of water in the river, amount of sediment in the water, and location. Before manmade interventions, the widest parts of the river were located in the Old and New Channel valleys between St. Louis and Cairo, where widths of 2,130 meters were recorded.
Man Influence on Mississippi River
Man has had a tremendous influence on the Mississippi River, including clearcutting forests, dredging its channels, and constructing a number of locks and dams. The most remarkable way that man has impacted the waters of the Mississippi is in controlling the water level of the river. By operating locks and dams placed on the river, engineers have been able to regulate the height of the water. The levees and riverworks further insure that the river will not flood large areas as it once did.
The various man-made interventions of the Mississippi have had mixed consequences on nature and the ecology of the river. In some areas, the river has been increased in width, weakening its flow and causing it to slow down. This has resulted in the deposition of sediment — a process called sedimentation — which increases the elevation of the river banks and creates new habitats for a wide array of animals.
However, most of the manmade changes to the river have had a negative effect on its ecology — particularly in the Lower Mississippi valley, where the construction of dams, levees, and navigation channels has greatly restricted the flow of the water, resulting in poorer water quality and less fish and wildlife.
Nonetheless, the presence of man has allowed the Mississippi to become an important commercial waterway, supplying major cities, farms, and industries with much-needed water and resources. The 1,200-mile-long navigation channel of the Mississippi, the longest in the U.S., continues to transport cargo up and down the river for a variety of businesses, creating jobs and providing economic benefit for all those involved.
Environmental Factors
The width of the Mississippi is greatly impacted by environmental factors such as seasonal flooding and droughts, as well as the amount of sediment in the water. During times of drought, the river can become significantly shallower, which causes the river to narrow and decreases the water velocity. When this happens, the sediment and debris carried by the river are deposited in various locations, changing the depth and width of the Mississippi.
On the other hand, during times of heavy rainfall, the river swells, causing it to expand and deepen. This significantly increases the width of the river and allows more sediment and debris to be moved and distributed along the riverbanks. As the sediment and debris accumulate, they form natural barriers that increase the width of the river, which helps prevent flooding.
As the Mississippi River winds its way through the cities, towns, and countryside of the Midwest, it is constantly changing and responding to its environment. Thanks to its wide range of habitats and diverse wildlife, the river has earned its title as one of the most remarkable ecological wonders in the United States.
Pollution Effects
Pollution from human activities is now a major contributor to the pollution of the Mississippi River, and a large factor in the widening of its width. The overuse of nitrogen-rich fertilizer from farms and the runoff from cities has led to an increase in nutrients and other pollutants, including heavy metals and phosphorus, that contaminate the river.
These pollutants have caused the ecosystems of the Mississippi to become unbalanced, resulting in algal blooms, reduced dissolved oxygen levels, and eutrophication. These conditions have caused fish kills and a decrease in fish and wildlife populations, greatly impacting the biodiversity of the river.
The pollutants and toxins also cause the river to widen, as they encourage vegetation and sediment accumulation in certain places. This results in a more sluggish flow of the river, which further compounds the pollution problem. To combat these effects, states along the river are taking measures to reduce pollution, such as improved discharge controls and better education programs.
Role of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is essential to the health of the United States — providing transportation, economic opportunities, recreation, and scenic beauty to the Midwest. It is home to numerous species of plants and animals, supporting a vast array of habitats. Despite the many challenges it faces today, the river is still an important source of life and a source of pride for many Americans.
The importance of the Mississippi lies in its contribution to the people who live along its banks — providing a safe home for wildlife, supplying essential resources, and creating jobs. It is also a unique natural wonder and a powerful symbol of American progress.
The beauty and grandeur of the wide Mississippi River is a testament to the resilience of nature in the face of human development — a reminder of how powerful and awe-inspiring our environment can be.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River is an iconic and powerful force that has shaped American history and culture for centuries. It is a source of beauty and a testament to the resilience of nature. Its wide expanse spans from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, providing vital resources to the people who rely on it and to the wildlife who live along its banks.
The river is constantly changing, responding to the environment and to the activities of man. Its width can greatly vary depending on the season, the amount of water in the river, the amount of sediment, and the influence of pollution. The Mississippi River continues to be an important source of life and a source of pride for many Americans.
