Is the Mississippi River Really the Nile River?
The Mississippi River is the fourth-longest river in the world and the second-longest river in the United States, running through multiple states in the midwestern and central United States, including Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Mississippi, finally draining into the Gulf of Mexico. Commonly known as “Old Man River”, it is an incredibly important resource of the North American Midwest. On a global scale, the Mississippi is only surpassed in length and breadth by the Nile River in Africa, leading some to suggest that the African giant is in fact the same river in a different part of the world. Is this true?
The history of both rivers is quite fascinating, and it’s easy to see why there is speculation. The Nile River has been called the “father of rivers,” due to its importance in ancient Egyptian and Nubian societies, and its age is estimated to stretch back as far as 5 million years. On the other hand, the Mississippi River is believed to have formed around 1 million years ago. Though both are ancient, the Nile River is believed to be much older than the Mississippi.
The scientific evidence for the two rivers being connected is inconclusive. Generally speaking, the two rivers flow on opposite sides of the globes and their watersheds are completely separated from each other. The watersheds of both rivers span thousands of miles — the Nile Rising in Uganda and Ethiopia and draining into the Mediterranean Sea, and the Mississippi Rising in Minnesota and draining into the Gulf of Mexico. This distance, however, has not stopped some from speculating.
“Though there are many similarities between the two rivers in terms of length, width, and flow rate, there is no current palaentological evidence to suggest they are connected in any form,” explains Dr. William Thomas, professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Illinois. “The sheer magnitude of migration to make the Nile run along the entire Eastern Americas is an astronomical thought.”
In addition to this, the geologic make-up of the two rivers is also very different. The Niagara Escarpment, a rocky outcropping stretching along the entire Eastern side of the continent, is believed to have created the Great Lakes and the Niagara Falls, impeding the flow of the Mississippi significantly. Comparatively, the Nile’s geology is quite different, with much of the sediment being washed away the the river’s torrents before it reaches the delta.
Historically, there is also no evidence to suggest the two rivers ever shared a connection point. In addition, the wide variety of animal and plant species unique to both rivers proves that the two could not ever be connected in some distant past.
The Variation in Species
The Mississippi River is home to a wide variety of native species, with nearly 200 species of fish being recorded in the river. This is due to its natural variability, the warm and cold currents shifting up and down the river. The Nile River on the other hand is much more stable, usually with a narrower range of temperatures, leading to a smaller variety of species and slower evolution.
What’s more, the Mississippi’s surrounding landscape is similar to its state of origin – flat plains and wetlands. However, the landscape around the Nile River is vastly different, with the Sahara Desert dominating most of the riverbanks.
The uniqueness of species of fish is testament to the separate origins of these two rivers. The species of fish living in the Mississippi River are completely different from those living the Nile River. Oftentimes, in other rivers, you’ll find a mix of species from all around the world, but the population of fish in the Mississippi remains relatively isolated.
The same can be said for other animals living in the two different rivers, including amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds. From turtles to American alligators, you can find unique species specific to the Mississippi River. Similarly, in the Nile River, you can find a variety of animals found no where else in the world, such as the Nile crocodile and the Nile monitor.
Cultural Implications
The Nile River has been a fundamental aspect of many African cultures, beginning with Ancient Egypt. The Nile allowed Ancient Egyptians to cultivate the land, while providing sustenance of food and water to the population. Even today, the river is heavily relied upon by farmers in the region, while providing an important recreational and economical resource.
The Mississippi River has also been of great cultural importance. For instance, the river’s freedom of navigation allowed the country to expand, with many of its cities emerging in close proximity to the river, most prominently New Orleans and St. Louis. Further, the Mississippi River has been part of the popular culture of the United States, from the novels by Twain to the many ballads and songs about it. In other words, the river is an important symbol of the cultural history of the United States.
The Impact of Human Activity
Both the Mississippi and the Nile rivers have faced the challenges of human interference in the form of industrial waste and runoff, leading to an increase in water pollution. The majority of this pollution is caused by the agricultural industry and the use of fertilizers and other chemicals, leading to an increase in nutrients in the water. This has had a “destructive effect” on aquatic and other animal life, particularly in the Nile.
In recent years, efforts to tackle the issue of water pollution, especially from the Mississippi River basin, have had considerable success, especially in the area of freshwater pollution control. In the case of the Nile, however, there is still a long way to go. The country of Egypt is attempting to bring about effective management of the river, though techniques being employed are criticised by many.
The Impact of Climate Change
Climate change is also playing a detrimental role to both rivers. The Mississippi River, in particular, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming. Rising temperatures can increase the rate of evaporation of water, resulting in droughts and reduced water flow, leading to agricultural hardships.
The Nile River is also vulnerable to the impact of change, with changes in rain cycles and increased desertification leading to droughts, as well as deforestation leading to soil erosion. This has had a severe toll on countries downstream from the Nile, with Egypt and Sudan being some of the worst affected.
Harnessing the Power of the Rivers
For millennia, the Nile and Mississippi Rivers have held a certain fascination for humans, allowing us to exploit the potential for the generation of hydroelectric power.
The Aswan Dam, built over the Nile River in the 1960s, significantly increased agricultural production and access to irrigation water, while providing a cheap source of electricity. Similarly, the control of the Mississippi River in the form of dams has allowed the population of the states surrounding it to generate significant amounts of energy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no evidence to suggest that the Mississippi River and the Nile River are connected in any way. The sheer distance between the two watersheds is not plausible and the geologic structure of each river is completely disparate. Furthermore, there is no scientific data to suggest a connection between the two bodies of water, with the level of species variation being a dead giveaway.
