Is the Mississippi River High Right Now?
Currently, the Mississippi River is the highest it’s been in two decades.
As the largest river in the United States, the Mississippi is 2,340 miles long and touches several states, including Minnesota, Louisiana, and Texas. It has been a main hub for commerce and transportation since the early 1900s.
Recent changes in weather patterns have caused the water to rise 8 feet since its average 7.5-foot depth in 2016. The dramatic shift has been worsening, with a drop of 12 inches already this month.
The excess water has posed a serious risk to nearby towns and cities, as well as the delicate ecosystems located around it. Some local governments have already enacted regulations in an effort to slow the increased water levels.
Public officials have been urging citizens to monitor their own surroundings and take extra precautions to protect their homes and families. For many, this includes increasing the distance of their homes from the water, creating sandbag walls for flooding prevention, and reinforcing existing infrastructure.
Though the situation is concerning to many, there’s a silver lining. Experts suggest that this influx of water can be seen as a “natural reset” for the river’s surrounding environment. The increased levels can help restore wetland habitats and increase the number of great blue herons, gator agamas and other endangered species.
With this said, governments, organizations and individuals must take preventative measures and advocate for natural river management practices to help ease the current issues.
Water Sustainability and Conservation
In order to keep water levels sustainable, many states and cities have implemented water conservation guidelines. Such initiatives help to reduce demand so that water resources are not overused with the current surge in water levels.
The implementation of strict water conservation policies should include a public education campaign to inform citizens on the importance of water conservation and correct water usage. This could include water rationing, rain harvesting, and grey water recycling.
Rain harvesting is an especially innovative form of water conservation. Instead of letting all rainwater run off, gutters can be installed to capture the water. The collected water can then be stored for future uses such as for irrigating crops, flushing toilets or washing clothes. This form of water conservation can help keep the water table from becoming too low.
Furthermore, local governments should invest in environmentally friendly infrastructure that can sustain the increase in water levels. Items like flood walls and water-based conservation parks help to protect the land from flooding and pollution.
Also, since the population of some of these towns and cities surrounding the Mississippi River is constantly increasing, the local government could consider public housing and transferring affected citizens to another area with better living conditions.
These are difficult decisions but the importance of taking such actions should be urged to help keep the river and its surrounding environment manageable and healthy.
Dealing with Increased Floodings
As the river continues to swell over its banks, floodings have become increasingly common, especially in the areas directly around the river. These floodings are not only a risk for property, but a risk to life as well.
When considering flood management, the goal would be to avoid flooding rather than relying on post-disaster recovery or damage control. This includes taking preventive measures such as building dams, levees, and flood walls. These are not only effective for prevention, but can also be used as channels for releasing excess water.
What should also be taken into account, though, is where all this excess water is coming from and how to prevent the same amount of flooding from happening the next time the river runs high. Proper channels need to be built to divert water away from populated areas before it can even reach the river.
The Mississippi river itself should also continue to be monitored. Alarm systems should be in place to alert citizens when water levels are too high and can be used to trigger preventative measures.
For instance, if surrounding rivers and lakes overflow during heavy rain, they should be connected to the Mississippi River via navigational channels and monitored carefully so that the excess water can be diverted away from the populated areas.
These types of alternatives put an emphasis on prevention rather than reaction and can potentially help the Mississippi River and its surrounding areas to better manage and adjust to their environment.
Agriculture and Fishing Industries
The high waters of the Mississippi River and its tributaries have greatly affected the agriculture and fishing industries along its banks. High water has been found to have various impacts on the soil, reducing the amount of fertile land available to farmers and reducing the productivity of crops.
Additionally, flooding can cause an increase in the amount of chemical pollutants in the soil, creating an unsafe environment for any crops grown near the river. This same kind of contamination can be seen in the distant waters where fish are caught for commercial harvesting.
Farmers and fishermen alike have turned to governmental organizations for assistance, with the goal of finding widespread solutions for the industry’s dilemmas. By understanding the current problems and potential solutions, many local governments are now offering grants and subsidies to farmers, in an effort to mitigate their losses.
In addition to government support, there have been advances in modern technology to help farmers and fishermen protect their livelihoods. With the development of better irrigation systems and methods, farmers are able to protect their crops more efficiently and fishermen can prevent overfishing in the polluted waters.
The implementation of these solutions ultimately helps to not only protect the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen, but also the natural environment of the surrounding area.
Environmental Impact of the Mississippi
The Mississippi is an important source of transportation, recreation and food for both the local and global population. But despite this, its high water levels are causing detrimental effects on certain species of aquatic life and land-dwelling wildlife.
Due to the flooding, some areas near the river have become uninhabitable for certain species, leading to large scale migrations and potential shifts in the food chain. Rising water has also had a negative impact on shorelines, leading to a decrease in the number of available nesting grounds for certain species of birds and fish.
Water pollution has been a long-standing issue for the Mississippi and its tributaries. Pollutants such as sewage, oil and gas, agricultural runoff and urban runoff have been causing extensive damage to the river’s diverse ecosystems. This has caused an oxidizing environment, while subjecting species to poisonous materials.
To counter the environmental degradation of the river, governments, companies and organizations have collaborated to produce various solutions. These include promoting green practices such as reducing plastic waste, implementing water purification facilities, and promoting the development of alternative energy sources.
It’s clear that the Mississippi River is an important natural resource that needs to be protected, and with the right measures in place, its problems can be resolved over time.
Educating the Public
To maintain sustainable river development, citizens must be aware of how their actions can make a difference. An important way to do this is through public education.
Local governments should invest in educating citizens on the current state of the river and its importance. Examples of this could include disseminating information in the form of workshops, seminars, and public display boards. Issues such as global warming, conservation, waste management, and more should be stressed.
Also, engaging technology is a great way to capture people’s attention. Apps like Insight Mississippi and EyesontheMississippi have been designed to raise public awareness and have already been successful in providing users with real-time monitoring data and safety alerts.
The goal is to create an informed society that is conscious of the current conditions of the river. With a better understanding of their environment, citizens can take the necessary steps to protect and hopefully restore it.
In addition, organizations and businesses should use their influence to promote awareness. This can include raising funds, donating supplies or services to those in need, and giving out educational materials or resources.
Through combined efforts, it is possible to inform and educate the public about the importance of the Mississippi River and the importance of water sustainability.
Management and Preservation of the Mississippi
The oil, gas and agricultural industries are some of the main contributors to the river’s degradation. The oil industry in particular has made use of the river for various uses such as shipping, transportation, and even as a supply source. All of this has resulted in heavy pollution.
Therefore, more stringent environmental control laws must be put in place, to protect and preserve the river. This could include penalizing illegal dumping, agricultural waste, oil and other forms of industrial effluent. Offenders should be held accountable for their actions, with increased fines for those caught in violation.
To further protect the river and its surrounding areas, local governments should invest in watershed development plans and procedures. These plans should involve all stakeholders and should take into account the various aspects of water management, such as water availability, pollution control and flood prevention.
Another way to protect the Mississippi River is through increased enforcement by law enforcement. Regular patrols and surveillance should be done to monitor activities near the river and respond to emergencies. More training should also be provided to agents and personnel to help them better understand the importance of preserving the river and its environment.
With cooperation and of the government, researchers, citizens and businesses, the Mississippi River can be preserved and managed properly.
