Is the Mississippi River the Border for Louisiana and Mississippi?
From its headwaters in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River’s 2,320-mile long journey winds along, winding through a significant 10 states before draining into the Gulf. Along its journey, the Mighty Mississippi serves as a physical boundary between two of its states – Louisiana and Mississippi. But is the Mississippi River the actual border between these states? Here’s a look at their shared boundary.
Defining the Border
The boundary line between Louisiana and Mississippi was established by the Mississippi Congressional Act of 1812 and also modified by the Treaty of Doak’s Stand 1820. As per the act, the boundary between Louisiana and Mississippi starts at the Doak’s Stand Tree located in the Leflore County of Mississippi, and runs northward along the 32nd degree of latitude to the northern border of Mississippi. From then on, this line was used as the established border between the two states.
The border then moves from 32 degrees along the Meridian Line of latitude to a point where it meets the Mississippi River, following the South and East banks of the river downstream all the way to its separation point known as Pass Manchac. The border then shifts south, connecting the point just south of Lake Providence to the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers. It continues along the same line past Bayou Sara and ends at the Gulf of Mexico.
Given the Mississippi River’s strategic positioning as the shared border between Louisiana and Mississippi, both states have access to key waterways that help facilitate transportation, commerce, and enable access to resources such as food, energy, and recreation activities.
In addition to the river itself, the watershed area of the Mississippi River is home to numerous lakes and reservoirs, rivers, marshes and wetlands, making it an ecologically important habitat in the region as well. This helps to create a buffer between the two states and creates a natural eco-system.
Furthermore, from an economic point of view, both Louisiana and Mississippi depend heavily on the Mississippi River for multiple aspects of their respective lives, including in areas like domestic transportation, fishing and aquaculture, and power production. This is why the river’s health and its bridges connecting the two states are of paramount importance.
Expert Perspectives
According to Dr. Lesley Reid of Louisiana State University, “The Mississippi River not only acts as a physical barrier between the two states, but it’s also a travel corridor, it’s a source of economic activity and income, and it’s also an important source of cultural identity”. Therefore, Dr. Reid believes it is important to manage the river’s resources carefully and in a collaborative fashion.
Dr. Robert D. Stein, an expert on boundary disputes, notes that historically, boundary disputes between states have been common, but he suggests that the Mississippi River boundary between Louisiana and Mississippi has become much more like a peace treaty rather than an ongoing dispute between the two states. This is due in large part to the participation of both states in jointly managing the river basin.
Conflicting Interests
At the same time, both states have conflicting interests when it comes to the Mississippi River. Since Louisiana and Mississippi are separated only by the river, their interests may clash when it comes to its use and management. Specifically, one state may attempt to regulate its use in a way that best benefits its citizens, which may not always be in line with the interests of the other state.
For this reason, both states have come together multiple times to develop and renegotiate agreements to address the needs of each state and the use of the river in a fair and equitable manner. These agreements, along with a shared sense of responsibility to protect and manage the Mississippi River basin, have been responsible for promoting a healthy relationship between the two states.
Protection of the Mississippi River
To protect the ecosystem of the Mississippi River, both Louisiana and Mississippi have come together to develop policies on flood control, water resource management, and wildlife preservation. Additionally, both states have worked closely together to address issues related to water pollution, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events along the river.
Together, both states have implemented measures such as developing drainage systems, creating flood-resistant plans, restoring coastal wetlands and marshes, creating buffer zones near the river, and introducing new laws to prevent water contamination and post-development runoff. These measures help protect the shared resources of the Mississippi River while also helping protect the residents and businesses who depend on it.
Environmental Turmoil
At the same time, the Mississippi River basin has been increasingly affected by human impact, leading to water quality issues, wetland and marsh loss, and other environmental concerns. As a result, the area is facing a range of impacts, including long-term changes in animal habitats, increased flooding, increased sedimentation, and degradation of the quality of the river water.
The impacts of unregulated development on the Mississippi River have been disastrous. To mitigate the effects and protect the environment, the two states have increased regulation, established protective zoning regulations, and are continuously looking at ways to increase environmental awareness and reduce environmental risks.
Conclusion
With their shared border and intertwined environmental and economic interests, Louisiana and Mississippi have a unique relationship. The two states rely heavily on the Mississippi River and its resources, and they have come together to protect and manage its shared resources. At the same time, they must be mindful of the human impact on the river and its surroundings, as human activities pose a significant threat to the river and its delicate ecosystem.
