The Mississippi River is one of the most iconic features of the United States. Spanning over two thousand miles, it has provided transportation to millions of people, and it has been a major source of drinking water, economic prosperity, and recreation. This legendary waterway has been known to fluctuate in depth over its history. Recently, there has been a question as to whether the river is falling at Cape Girardeau, a small town in the middle of the state of Missouri.
At the peak of the Mississippi River’s water flow in the summer, it is often measured at about 40 feet in depth at the Cape Girardeau gauge. This past summer, however, the water depth was as low as 25 feet. This depth is approximately five to six feet lower than it has been in past years. As such, many people have wondered if this is a result of the river’s water level decreasing over time or if it is due to some other kind of anomalous event.
The reason behind the rapid decline in the water level of the Mississippi River is the result of a drought that the state of Missouri has been in since the summer of 2017. This drought is attributed to an abnormally cool spring and a hot summer, both of which cause the water level in the river to decline. For example, in 2017, the spring was particularly cool and the summer was very hot. This caused the river to recede to levels much lower than any it had seen in the past century.
The decline in the water level of the Mississippi River is concerning for many reasons. One of the main reasons is that the river provides numerous fish and wildlife habitats. The decreased river levels could adversely affect these habitats. Additionally, it poses a risk to navigation along the river, as the depth of the river is now too shallow for many boats and other vessels. Finally, a decrease in the river’s water levels could lead to environmental problems such as decreased river flow which would have a significant impact on the local economy.
In response to this decline, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, has taken a number of measures to try and restore the river’s water levels. These measures include reducing the amount of water taken out of the river for irrigation and reducing pollution levels in the river. Additionally, the department has increased the amount of water released into the river in order to increase its water levels. While these measures are encouraging, they may not be enough to restore the river’s water levels.
Experts in river management contend that it may take several years and possibly even decades to fully restore the river’s water levels. Many of these experts argue that the only way to truly restore the Mississippi River’s water levels is to reduce the amount of water taken from it for agricultural, recreational, and industrial uses. This would include implementing stricter regulations and bringing awareness to residents in order to discourage the taking of unnecessary amounts from the river.
Ultimately, only time will tell whether the river’s water levels will return to normal. It is clear, however, that this is an issue that needs to be addressed in order to protect the waterways, wildlife, and local economy.
Source of the Problem
The fact that the Mississippi River is falling at Cape Girardeau is a result of the drought that began in Missouri during the summer of 2017. As previously mentioned, this drought was caused by an abnormally cool spring and a hot summer. This caused the water level in the river to recede to levels much lower than any it had seen in the past century. The lack of rain also had an effect, not only drying up the river but also drying up the soil moisture which also caused the springs to reduce water levels.
Furthermore, the situation has been exacerbated by the increase in population and increased demand for water. This has caused the river to be used for more than just drinking water. It is now used for industrial purposes, hydropower, and recreation. As the demand for water increases, more water is taken from the river, further reducing its water levels.
Additionally, pollution has also had a negative effect on the Mississippi River. Pollutants from industrial activity have entered the river, making it increasingly harder for it to retain its water levels.
Future of the River
Experts predict that it could take a long time before the Mississippi River’s water levels fully recover. This is because there are numerous factors influencing the river’s water levels, such as the climate, rainfall, and population. As such, the rate of recovery could be very slow and is likely dependant on the implementation of regulations and other measures aimed at conserving the river
For example, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has taken steps to reduce the amount of water taken from the river for irrigation and to reduce the amount of pollution entering the river. These measures, while encouraging, may not be enough to fully restore the river’s water levels. In order to restore them, stricter regulations will need to be put in place and more awareness needs to be brought to the public in order to discourage the taking of unnecessary amounts of water from the river.
At the same time, experts are looking into other ways to help the river, such as dredging the river and building dams. These measures, while controversial, could help to restore the river’s water levels. Additionally, they could also help to make navigation along the river easier, as well as provide some much needed habitat for fish and wildlife.
Potential Solutions
In order to prevent the Mississippi River from continuing to fall at Cape Girardeau, experts suggest a number of potential solutions. One potential solution is to reduce the amount of water taken from the river for irrigation and industrial uses. This would be accomplished by implementing stricter regulations on water extraction and making more residents aware of the implications of taking too much water from the river.
Another potential solution is to reduce the amount of pollution entering the river. This could be accomplished by introducing stricter regulations on industrial activity to reduce the amount of pollutants entering the river. Additionally, more public awareness needs to be brought to the public to encourage them to reduce their use of hazardous materials and to practice proper waste management.
Finally, the construction of new dams or the dredging of existing dams could also be considered. While these measures are controversial, they could be beneficial in restoring the river’s water level and providing habitat for wildlife and fish. However, their implementation would require careful consideration, as they would have various implications for the environment and the local economy.
Environmental Impact
The decrease in the Mississippi River’s water levels could have a significant impact on the environment. For one, the decreased water levels could adversely affect habitats for fish and wildlife. Additionally, the decreased water levels could lead to reduced river flow, which would in turn decrease the amount of oxygen in the river, making it difficult for aquatic life to survive.
The decrease in the water levels could also have an economic impact on the local economy. This is because many local businesses rely on the river for transportation and recreation. A decrease in the river’s water levels could reduce the amount of boat traffic, thus reducing tourism and income for the local economy.
Finally, decreased water levels have the potential to lead to higher temperatures in the area. As the river’s water evaporates, the air temperature rises above the water level. This, in turn, could have serious consequences for the environment, such as increased risk for wildfires and other environmental problems.
Community Involvement
It is clear that in order to restore the Mississippi River’s water levels, community involvement is necessary. One of the best ways to involve the community is through education. Increasing awareness of the effects of the drought and the importance of taking care of the river will be key in getting people to take action.
Additionally, implementing an incentive system could also help to motivate people to take action. This incentive system could include financial incentives or rewards for those who practice water conservation. This could be done through subsidies or tax breaks for those taking water conservation measures.
In addition to these measures, local organizations and businesses can also help to restore the river’s water levels by taking part in volunteer activities. These activities could include tree plantings, clean-up campaigns, and other environmental projects that help to conserve the river.
Finally, local and state governments can also play an important role in restoring the Mississippi River’s water levels. This could be done through the implementation of laws and regulations aimed at reducing pollution and water extraction from the river. Additionally, the government could introduce laws that encourage people to switch to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, which would reduce the amount of water taken from the river for electricity.
