The Mississippi River is one of the longest rivers in the United States, stretching 3,780 km from its source in the northern Minnesota region before draining into the Gulf of Mexico. Forming the largest drainage basin in North America, the Mississippi River directly dominates the lives of many communities and its tributaries, providing essential habitat, recreation, and water resources to millions of people. But is the Mississippi River a trunk stream? This article will explore the answer to this question, looking into its history, the definition of a trunk stream and its effects on the US.
The first documentation of the Mississippi River is attributed to that of Spanish explorer Sieur de la Salle, who recorded its course in 1682. The river has since been used for transportation, economic development, and commerce, forming an integral part of the country’s culture and history. The river forms a border between ten U.S. states, with its course providing one of the most influential natural features in the nation’s borders.
Simply put, a trunk stream is a stream that divides into smaller tributaries or branches, creating a linear drainage pattern. This pattern is called a drainage tree or a dendritic pattern. The Mississippi River is a primary example of this, as it is fed by 32 tributaries and splits six states. As one of the major rivers in the US, it has been a recipient of the constant change of agriculture and population.
The Mississippi River serves numerous functions in the US, from a critical transportation route to providing drinking water to millions of Americans. It is also home to a sprawling array of wildlife, providing habitat to over 117 species of game and non-game fish, 76 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 22 species of mammals. This system of tributaries also provides an economic benefit to the regions surrounding the river, contributing to approximately $37.7 billion in economic benefits each year.
Therefore, it is clear that the Mississippi River is a trunk stream. Its significance and importance cannot be overstated and it continues to play a major role in the lives and economic activities of those who live near its waters. Even with the threat of additional riverbank erosion and climate change threatening the river’s future, the Mississippi remains an imperative part of the US.
The River’s Hydrological Cycle
The entire hydrological cycle of the Mississippi River is affected by a large array of factors which affect stream discharge rates. Stream discharge is a measure of how much water is travelling through a given area, and is affected by precipitation, runoff, evaporation, and infiltration rates. During periods of low precipitation, or when surface evaporation is higher than the rate of infiltration, the flow of the Mississippi River will slow, something which is often observed during the summer months. Conversely, during periods of high precipitation, the Mississippi River’s stream discharge rate will increase, leading to higher river levels and more frequent flooding.
The high rates of erosion caused by flooding also mean that large amounts of sediment are deposited on the riverbed, leading to sedimentation. Over time, sediment accumulation can change the course of the river or even cause sections of the river to become blocked. To preserve the ecological health of the Mississippi River, the US Army Corps of Engineers regularly conducts dredging operations to mitigate eroding sediment and maintain the river’s navigability.
Impact on Ecosystems
In addition to its hydrological and geological effects, the Mississippi River also has important implications on the health of the ecosystems lining its banks. Along its course, the Mississippi River provides essential habitats and nutrient sources to a large variety of species, ranging from algae and aquatic plants, to insects, fish and mammals. Many of the species found in the Mississippi River are dependent on the flow of the river and its adjacent wetlands, making the river an integral part of the lives of many species.
The changes ushered by human activity on the Mississippi River, such as deforestation and urbanization, have caused significant changes to the floral and faunal species existing in the area. Pollutants, runoff, and erosion all contribute to an overall decrease in the quality of the water. The US Army Corps of Engineers, who are in charge of maintaining and safeguarding the integrity of the Mississippi River, have implemented a number of regulations and policies to reduce sources of pollution and to restore the river’s environmental health.
Human Intervention
In order to manage the Mississippi River and its significant effects on the US population and environment, a system of levees and dams constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers has been set up. These structures greatly reduce the risk of flooding, while also providing a system of navigation and electricity production in certain areas. However, these structures can also decrease the ecological health of certain areas by blocking the flow of sediment and reducing the diversity of aquatic species in the river.
In recent years, attempts have been made to operate these structures in a more ecologically-minded way. This includes the use of the Alternate Management Program (AMP), which is used to adjust the levels of water discharge in the river based on various environmental factors, such as the water flow in tributaries, the levels of navigation, and the availability of fish habitat. Through the use of this program, the US Army Corps of Engineers have been able to maintain a balance between the needs of human populations and the environmental needs of species living in and around the Mississippi ecosystem.
A Future With the Mississippi River
It is evident that the Mississippi River is an integral part of the US government and its communities, with its impact stretching to millions of Americans living and working around it. With climate change threatening the future of the river and its bordering regions, it is important that the US considers taking a more holistic view on the use and management of the Mississippi River. Only through collective efforts can the success of the Mississippi River be ensured for generations to come.
Effects of Levees and Dams on the Mississippi River
Apart from the positive effects of the levees and dams of the Mississippi River, there have been arguments against their implementation due its negative effects on the river’s overall health. With the implementation of levees and dams came the obstruction of the natural sediment flux of the Mississippi, diminishing sediment coverage over the years, thus affecting essential nutrient delivery systems required for an abundance of biodiversity in the river. This has caused adverse effects on the river’s ecosystem and its oxygen levels, with threats of extinction looming over many of its aquatic species.
In addition, the use of levees and dams has caused the Mississippi River to become a monotonous system, with the river’s current becoming limited and gentle, and its natural meanders unable to form. This has reduced duck populations drastically and slowed the migration of fish species. There is also a decrease in cotton irrigation and an increase in soil salinity due to the flow of the river being increasingly maintained by human engineering of the river.
A Holistic Approach to the Mississippi River
In recent years, steps have been made to address the ecological problems of the Mississippi River, with many institutions and academics proposing a wide variety of methods which may contribute to the restoration of the river’s health and wellbeing. An example of this is the proposal of controlled flooding on the ‘Mississippi Delta,’ which is an area of land surrounding the mouth of the Mississippi River. This would lend natural sediment to the delta’s marshlands, and ultimately replenish them, restoring their vital ecosystem services such as promoting healthy fish habitats and transport of essential and essential nutrients.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently attempting to reduce the amount of sediment and sand bottling caused by dams, as well as reintroducing certain species which were now extinct to the river’s waters. Conservation initiatives such as these will help ensure a flourishing future for the Mississippi River and its surrounding regions. Although there are currently many initiatives and laws in place, economic and human activities in the area are still a major contributing factor to the environment, it is therefore the responsibility of all to reduce their environmental impact for the future of the river.
Management of the Mississippi River
When discussing the management of the Mississippi River, it’s important to keep in mind the role of human activity in the region. Given the importance of the Mississippi River, it is crucial that all individuals, businesses and organizations are aware of their environmental impact and do their part to minimize and mitigate the damage caused. Governments have a huge role to play in reducing environmental degradation, as well as in educating the public about how their activities can contribute to the deterioration of the Mississippi River’s fragile ecosystem.
A popular example of this is the recent decision by the US government to divert a portion of the river’s flow to areas suffering from drought. This decision was met with resistance due to its potential impact on the river’s delicate species and ecosystems. Although the decision was ultimately overturned, it is a reminder of the power of human decisions on the health of the Mississippi River.
It is evident that the Mississippi River is a vital part of not only the US, but countless ecosystems and species living nearby or in its waters. With climate change and urbanization posing an increasing threat to its well-being, it is important to take a holistic approach to its management, taking into consideration the needs of the many people and creatures dependent on the river. This is the only way to ensure the long-term success and health of the Mississippi River.
