The Mississippi River System is one of the most important networks of waterways in the United States, stretching across more than 2,200 miles of sprawling wetlands and riverbeds. Tributaries, or smaller rivers and streams that feed into the larger body of the Mississippi River, make up the entire system as they connect regions, facilitate transportation and commerce, and provide ecological diversity. In addition, tributaries are important in helping to mitigate the effects of floods. Three of the most important tributaries of the Mississippi River System are the Missouri, Ohio, and Arkansas Rivers.
The Missouri River
The longest of the three, the Missouri River, starts as a meandering stream high in the Rocky Mountains and eventually tumbles into the Mississippi River just north of St. Louis, Missouri. This behemoth of a river runs for almost 2,500 miles and acts as an important mode of transportation for cargo as well as passengers- tourists who can visit a number of sites along the river’s path, historically significant places like Standing Rock, North and South Dakota and the Lewis and Clark Monument.
The Missouri River is also the recipient of numerous plant and animal species, including migrating birds and fish, who rely on the larger body of the river for sustenance and habitat. From the headwaters to the mouth, the Missouri River boasts more than 300 species of fish, 40 species of amphibians, 35 mammalian species, and 250 bird species- numbers that reflect the important complex ecological network.
When the Missouri River floods, it can cause devastating effects throughout the region due to the alterations made to the river’s species composition, fishing industry and access to transportation. In response, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has attempted to take control of the river through a variety of infrastructure projects, such as building levees and constructing dams, to help mitigate the damage.
The Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary of the Mississippi River and runs from the city of Pittsburgh to its mouth on the Mississippi River in western Kentucky. Flowing for approximately 981 miles, it passes through several states, including West Virginia, Indiana, and Kentucky, on its way to the Mississippi. Similar to the Missouri, the Ohio River was seen as an important mode of transportation, playing an integral role in the development of westward expansion and creating opportunities for those willing to take a chance on the river.
The river is also responsible for supporting a variety of different species, including the Common Carp, Blue Catfish, Sauger, and Paddlefish to name a few. Many cities have also based their economies on the abundance of fish that can be found in the river, with fishing being a major source of income for many local communities.
Due to its significance to the region, there has been a long-standing effort since the mid-1900s to help protect and restore the Ohio River through education and outreach programs and other environmental initiatives. While progress has been made, pollution, combined with a changing climate, continue to threaten its delicate ecosystem.
The Arkansas River
The Arkansas River starts in Colorado and flows for around 1,469 miles until its confluence with the Mississippi River in Arkansas. In addition to providing an important source of transportation, the Arkansas River is also a major irrigation source for the surrounding area, with a number of man-made canals diverting water to nearby land in order to supplement their water supply.
Like the Missouri and Ohio Rivers, the Arkansas River has its fair share of wildlife. The waters of the Arkansas River are home to fish like the Shovelnose Sturgeon and the Shovelnose Gar, as well as amphibians such as the Hellbender and several species of frogs. Birds, such as the American White Pelican and the Osprey, are also a common sight along the banks of the river.
In recent years, the Arkansas River has been plagued by numerous water-related issues, such as pollution, over-fishing, and non-point source runoff. While local organizations have made significant strides in restoring the river, much work still needs to be done in order to restore the river to its former state and continue to protect it for the future.
Water Quality and Environmental Cleanup
The water quality of the three rivers of the Mississippi River System have deteriorated over the years due to a variety of pollutants, including pesticides, agricultural runoff and urban pollution. As a result, local organizations have used a variety of methods to help rid the rivers of contaminants, including wastewater treatment projects, streambank stabilization projects and voluntarism efforts.
In some areas, government-mandated “Total Maximum Daily Loads” have been adopted and implemented in order to establish a baseline for acceptable levels of pollutants. In addition, the implementation of “watershed management plans” that focus on restoring the health of the water through better land-use planning, conservation and the protection of sensitive riparian areas have also been implemented to help bring the rivers back to their previous levels of health.
In addition, private and public partnerships have become increasingly important in the effort to clean up the rivers of the Mississippi River System. Organizations like the Missouri-Mississippi River Partnership and the Ohio River Basin Alliance have worked to bring together multiple stakeholders in order to find practical solutions to water quality stewardship.
Efforts to Improve Infrastructure
The importance of the Mississippi River System to the United States can not be overstated, and the need to improve the infrastructure alongside the waters has become increasingly apparent in recent years. Large-scale projects such as the Mississippi River Channelization Project have attempted to promote better navigation and facilitate trade along the river. The loosening of navigation restrictions and improvement of infrastructure, including locks and navigation aids, have all been implemented in order to improve efficiencies and save transportation costs.
In addition, the maintenance of existing levees, dams and other forms of infrastructure have played a major role in helping to protect the river from extreme flooding and in providing water to different regions. As a result of all these efforts, more efficient navigation, improved water delivery and more reliable, accessible infrastructure have all been accomplished.
Economic Benefits of the Mississippi River System
The Mississippi River System provides an array of economic benefits directly and indirectly through its tributaries. The transportation of goods and commodities that follow the main channel provide important economic benefits to local communities and industries. In addition, the river system’s freshwater is essential to irrigation efforts and supporting cities and towns located along it.
In addition, recreational activities are also an important source of revenue for local economies, with fishing, boating, and hunting all contributing to the river’s economic vitality. Tourism has also been an important source of revenue, with many people visiting the region to enjoy the natural beauty of the Mississippi and to learn more about its rich history.
The rivers of the Mississippi River System also serve an important role in helping to curb climate change as they provide a valuable habitat for wildlife and plants. As such, the rivers have become a refuge for many endangered species, most notably the Pallid Sturgeon, an ancient species of fish that has been listed as endangered. Conservation efforts have also been implemented in an effort to protect these species, with success stories occurring throughout the region.
New Technologies and the Future of the Mississippi River System
Technological advances have helped to improve the management of the rivers of the Mississippi River System, with advances such as remote sensing, modeling, and data collection helping to improve the accuracy of hydrologic forecasts. In addition, drones have been used to map river depths and identify areas for improvement, while smart navigation systems and unmanned navigation systems have helped to improve navigation and facilitate transportation.
And while much progress has been made in ensuring that the rivers of the Mississippi River System are healthy and well-managed, they still face significant threats, the most pressing of which is climate change. With its effects becoming more apparent each day, it is up to the stakeholders of the river system to come together and take the necessary steps in order to protect and preserve the rivers for future generations.
Restoration Efforts
Restoration efforts for the three rivers of the Mississippi River System have utilized a variety of approaches to help improve their overall health and well-being. Through the use of habitat restoration projects, the removal of invasive species, and the reduction of erosion, significant progress has been made in helping to safeguard the water quality of the rivers.
In addition, local communities have come together in an effort to promote public education and increased public awareness of the need to protect and conserve the region’s natural resources. Several organizations, such as the Missouri-Mississippi River Partnership, have worked to bring together stakeholders in order to create more meaningful collaborations and find pragmatic solutions to water quality issues.
Finally, private-public partnerships have also allowed for the implementation of innovative strategies, such as the use of green infrastructure, that have contributed to the overall health of the rivers and surrounding ecosystems. The success of these projects has opened up new possibilities for the restoration of the Mississippi River System, and for its continued sustainability into the future.
