History of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is one of the most well-known rivers in the United States. Running northward and southward along the east side of the country, it is a vital waterway for transportation and commerce. According to the National Park Service, the Mississippi River has been part of the United States since the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Connected to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi runs from the Canadian border down to the Gulf.
Native Americans have lived in the region for thousands of years, and the river was an important part of their everyday lives. The Assiniboine, Sioux, Cheyenne, Mandan and Chippewa tribes all had a profound impact on the development of the region. The river was a source of travel, sustenance and commerce, and each tribe has distinctive cultural ties to it.
The Role of the Mississippi River in Missouri
Missouri River is one of the states located east of the Mississippi River. The river runs eastwards from the boundary of the state to meet the Missouri River. Both rivers are important for transportation, agriculture, and ecology throughout the state.
Taking a glimpse at its history, the river has been a source of a lot of activity during the 17th and 18th centuries when many fur trappers and traders started arriving in the state. The city of St. Louis was founded in 1764 along the Mississippi, and it was one of the main ports of trade in the area. Since then, the river has been essential for navigation and transportation in the state, and even today, many goods and people pass through the Mississippi River.
The state of Missouri also benefits from the water produced by the river. The river is a major source of the state’s water supply and it provides a considerable amount of the water used in industry, agriculture and domestic purposes. Moreover, the Mississippi River is an important corridor of wildlife, allowing many species of fish, birds and mammals to migrate in the area.
Impact of the Mississippi River on Missouri
The Mississippi River has had a significant impact on the state of Missouri, both for better and for worse. A major disadvantage of the river is its tendency to severe flooding, which affects many of the towns and cities along its banks. This has forced many people to relocate from their homes, and it has caused a great deal of destruction to the infrastructure and economy in the region.
Despite this, the river has also been beneficial for the state, as it has been a major contributor to its economy throughout the years. Tourism has been one of the main drivers of economic growth in the area, due to its many attractions, including beautiful landscapes and interesting historical sites. Moreover, the river has also been an important source of natural resources and minerals, making it a major contributor to the state’s industrial sector.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Mississippi River is one of the main rivers in the United States and it has a profound impact on the state of Missouri, both negatively and positively. Missouri is located east of the Mississippi River, and the river is an important source of natural resources, transportation and commerce for its citizens.
Draining and Pollution of the Mississippi
The Mississippi River serves an important role in draining large areas of land, but this also carries with it some negative consequences. The river experiences an immense amount of pollution from agricultural runoff and waste from industry. This has led to a severe degradation of water quality in the Mississippi, as well as in many of its tributaries.
Pollution in the river has caused a decrease in the amount of wildlife that can inhabit the area. This is due to the toxins and chemicals that are present in the water, and it has endangered the the species that rely on the river for their sustenance. Furthermore, diminished water quality has caused a decrease in recreational activities, such as fishing and swimming, making it more difficult to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Conservation and Restoration
The decreasing quality of the Mississippi has sparked many conservation and restoration efforts, with the main goal being to reduce pollution and improve the river’s water quality. In order to achieve this, regulations have been put into place that prohibit industries from discharging hazardous materials into the river. Additionally, the government and various conservation organizations have implemented measures to reduce agricultural runoff from entering the river.
Organizations such as The Nature Conservancy have also taken on the challenge of restoring the river and its surrounding ecosystems. Through research and collaboration with local communities, they are working to improve the river’s water quality, increase biodiversity and protect the area from human activity.
Adaptation in Wildlife
Despite the negative effects of pollution on the river’s ecosystem, many species of wildlife have adapted to the conditions in the river. As a result, they are able to survive and thrive despite the degraded water quality.
For example, species of fish such as the Flathead Catfish and the Paddlefish are able to tolerate and even thrive in the polluted waters. Additionally, bird species such as the Great Blue Heron and the American Coot are also able to survive in the area, as well as other species of amphibians, reptiles and mammals.
Mississippi River Floods
The Mississippi River is prone to severe flooding, and this can cause major destruction in the region. These floods often cause significant amounts of damage to homes and businesses, and they can also disrupt transportation and commerce. To help mitigate the effects of flooding in the region, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers builds and maintains levees, dikes and barriers along the river.
In addition to the Corps of Engineers, local organizations such as the Lower Mississippi River Watershed are also working to reduce the risk of flooding in the region. They are responsible for supporting and creating floodplain management projects, and they are currently developing a watershed management plan to reduce the risk of damaging floods.
Restoration of the Mississippi River
Despite the serious effects of pollution and flooding on the river, there is hope for its restoration. There has been a growing effort to protect and improve the Mississippi, with many local and federal organizations dedicating time and resources towards the cause. Government agencies have implemented regulations to limit pollutants in the water, and various conservation groups have contributed to the efforts.
In recent years, the public has become more involved in the restoration of the river, forming volunteer programs that focus on cleanup efforts and planting vegetation. The implementation of these grassroots initiatives has caused a substantial amount of progress to be made in the restoration of the river.
