Historical Overview
The Mississippi River is the tenth longest river in the world and is the primary river system of the 48 contiguous United States. Rising in Minnesota, it winds its way south through the Midwest until it eventually empties its waters into the Gulf of Mexico. Since ancient times, the river has served as a lifeline for the people who live along its banks, providing the water for crops, energy for commerce, and more. Though it has been a reliable source of sustenance for centuries, the lower portions of the Mississippi are now experiencing a dramatic drop in water levels.
Environmental Causes
In the past decade, the signs of the Mississippi River’s deterioration have been unmistakable. Warmer temperatures and extended dry periods, caused by the changing climate, are major contributors to the current situation. The retreat of the snowpack in the upper watersheds, that feeds the river, has been particularly damaging due to the consistent flow of water that it provides. The reduced rate of precipitation in the region has also impacted the water levels; this has been compounded by human activities such as deforestation and water diversion for crop irrigation.
Economic Impacts
The fall in the Mississippi’s water levels has had a direct effect on the livelihoods of people living near the river. Heavy freight vessels, which rely on the depth of the river to operate efficiently, have been forced to reduce their payloads in order to navigate safely. As a result, the energy industry has been forced to invest in alternate methods of transportation to move its products. This, combined with the high costs of cleaning up the waste left behind by these vessels, has pushed up the price of fuel and hampered economic growth in the region.
Public Health Concerns
The low water levels in the Mississippi are also causing serious public health concerns. The reduced flow has caused the water to become stagnant and polluted, raising the risk of infection for those that swim or fish in the River. Additionally, the reduced flow has caused the water to stagnate further upstream, leading to areas of shallow water that are heavily contaminated with bacteria and toxic chemicals.
Government Actions
Given the catastrophic consequences of the declining water levels, the U.S. government has taken a number of steps to address the issue. Last year, the government passed the Comprehensive Watershed Management Act, which provides grants and other forms of assistance to states and local governments to help improve their water quality. Additionally, the government has imposed restrictions on agricultural runoff and other industries, and is increasing the monitoring of shipping vessels in an effort to reduce the amount of pollution they are responsible for.
Public Consequences
The decline in the river’s water levels has been felt by the people living along its banks. As the river shrinks, there is an increased risk of flooding and decreased access to clean drinking water. This has had particularly negative outcomes for rural communities, which are often unable to access the resources that they need to adapt to a changing environment. Additionally, Indigenous peoples and other marginalized communities that rely on the river for sustenance and commerce are disproportionately affected.
Influence of Climate Change
The root cause of the river’s decline is the changing climate, which has pushed temperatures to historic highs and caused wild swings between periods of wet and dry weather. As a result, the snowpack in the Northern tributaries has diminished, slowing the rate at which water is replenished. Scientists have also found evidence of human activities, such as deforestation, agricultural runoff, and water diversion for irrigation, that are exacerbating the problem.
Solutions for Protection
Fortunately, the government and public have started to take action to address the issue. This includes passing laws to regulate agricultural runoff and other industries, as well as increasing the monitoring of shipping vessels in the area. In addition, organizations such as the Mississippi River Alliance are working to improve the flow of the river by planting trees in the upper watersheds, which will help to restore the snowpack and replenish the rivers natural resources.
River Restoration Programs
In recent years, numerous efforts have been made to restore the Mississippi River to its former glory. Notably, the Mississippi River Basin Restoration Program is designed to improve the health and quality of the basin’s waters, while the National Water Quality Initiative provides funding to organizations that are working to improve water quality. Such initiatives are essential to enabling stakeholders to work together to resolve the crisis in the region.
Technologies to Protect the Waters
In order to help protect the waters of the Mississippi River, governments and private organizations are increasingly turning to new technologies. From real-time monitoring and artificial intelligence to data visualisation, these tools allow for the more efficient detection and tracking of pollutants and other dangers in the river. By providing a more comprehensive understanding of the state of the water, such technologies can provide early warnings and enable more timely interventions.
Improving Education about the River
In order for these efforts to have a lasting impact, it is important to educate the public about the crisis facing the Mississippi River. Organizations such as the Mississippi River Network are working to attract greater attention to the issue and to guide people in how they can make a difference. Through advocacy and education, they hope to build a larger and more informed constituency of people who are committed to protecting the river.
