Mississippi River System
Flowing from its source at northern Minnesota, the mighty Mississippi River weaves its way southwards, connecting more than twenty-two million people in ten states. Considered one of the most important rivers in North America, its tributaries contribute to the vast and enduring river system of the Mississipppi.
The two most prominent tributaries are the Missouri and Ohio Rivers. Together, they feed the Mississippi with an average of around176,000 cubic feet of water per second, making up the bulk of the river’s flow. Millions of gallons of water a day is brought in to the Mississippi through the two rivers, as they travel hundreds of miles and cut through many states before meeting the Mississippi in St. Louis, Missouri.
Starting in Montana and running for 2,341 miles before joining with the Mississippi River, Missouri is the longest tributary and the farthest upstream. It has been proposed as the nation’s longest river since the late 19th century and is shared by seven states: Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri. This river is key to river transportation and floodplain agriculture and resources, as well as providing support to dozens of fish, bird and other wildlife species.
Ohio River is the easternmost tributary, rising in the Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. It feeds the Mississippi with an estimated average of 63,500 cubic feet of water per second, traversing and draining into twelve states, more than any other tributary of the Mississippi. This river and its tributaries also provide recreational areas and facilities.
The union of the two rivers in St. Louis, where both rivers meet and become the Mississippi, is one of the most iconic and fantastic sights on the river. It offers unforgettable experiences, the opportunity to go fishing, and the perfect backdrop for stunning photo opportunities.
Impact of Tributaries on Mississippi
For centuries, the Mississippi River has served as an essential waterway for North American travel and commerce. The two main tributaries of this river system, the Missouri and Ohio Rivers, are vital to the sustainability, diversity, and flow of the Mississippi.
To understand the impact of the two tributaries, it is necessary to first understand the importance of the flow of the Mississippi. The Force of Gravity is the crucial element that makes its flow possible. The Missouri and Ohio Rivers, however, contribute to the overall water level in the Mississippi and help balance the flow. They provide a steady source of water, which in turn keeps the Mississippi from drying up.
The influx of water from the two rivers also serves an essential role in replenishing the nutrients in the Mississippi’s soil, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. This positively affects aquatic life in the river, by providing an abundance of food sources. This aspect also helps to support the many species that rely on the Mississippi for survival, such as the different fish species, crayfish, and mussels.
The Missouri and Ohio Rivers also have an impact on the geography of the Mississippi. They can cause the river to meander, creating new channels and widening existing ones. The two main tributaries of the Mississippi also add to the size of the river, creating wetlands and swamplands. This contributes to the river’s diversity and increases the number of plants and animals that inhabit the Mississippi.
Environmental Impact of Tributaries
The two tributaries of the Mississippi are not only beneficial; they can also carry potential risks. In recent decades, human activity has caused certain pollutants, such as excess nitrogen and phosphorus, to get into the water and land areas of the Mississippi.
Excess nutrients from agricultural runoff have caused an accelerated growth of algae that cause oxygen depletion. This depletion causes a decrease of beneficial fish species, such as the endangered pallid sturgeon. It can also create dead-zones, areas where the lack of nutrients causes aquatic life to die off.
Human activity has also caused dangerous chemicals to find their way into the tributaries. One example is nitrates, a pollutant found in fertilizers and which can be hazardous to human health.
The impact of human activities on these tributaries has been felt not just in the water, but on the land. Pollutants such as oil and hazardous waste have been known to leach out of abandoned wells and waterways, leading to soil contamination and health concerns.
Restoration Efforts and Mitigation Strategies
The destruction and adverse effects brought by pollutant run-off and human activity in the tributaries of the Mississippi River system have led to the need for restoration and conservation efforts.
Mitigation strategies to protect the water quality of these tributaries include watershed management, riparian zone management, and wetland restoration. These projects help prevent further pollution from entering the rivers and can even reverse the effects of pollutants already in them.
Watershed management projects, for example, use sustainable methods such as terraces, soil conservation, riparian buffers, and cover crops to reduce non-point source water pollution. Wetland restoration projects, meanwhile, can help revitalize these ecosystems and the wildlife within them.
These efforts have resulted in improved water quality in the tributaries, safer and healthier aquatic and wildlife populations, and even improved recreational opportunities.
Life Cycle of Tributaries & Mississippi
The starting points of the two main tributaries, the Missouri River and the Ohio River, lie at the northern tip of Minnesota. From there, they roll southward into the states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and eventually Illinois, where the mighty Mississippi River can be found.
This vast system, made up of contributions from its tributaries, offers a truly incredible sight. The surging and rippling waters reflect their surroundings, creating beautiful scenes and breathtaking views. These are the same waters that, with the help of the tributaries, carry all kinds of things downstream, starting with light pieces of driftwood all the way to massive cargo ships.
The two rivers and the Mississippi itself have also been part of the lives of many people throughout history. People have picked up valuable knowledge as they traverse the three rivers, discovering supplies of food, discovering places to hunt and grow crops. People have also made use of the rivers for their cultural and spiritual traditions.
The Missouri and Ohio Rivers, as well as the Mississippi, continue to serve their essential function of providing water and a resource for people in the region. This network of rivers is vital to many communities in terms of recreation, culture, and industry.
Sustainability of Tributaries and Mississippi
Due to its essential role, the sustainability of the two rivers and the Mississippi is a top priority for many people. Thus, efforts have been made to preserve, protect and enhance the rivers’ watersheds. This includes raising awareness on how human activities directly or indirectly can affect the quality of the rivers and the services they provide. Strategies such as nutrient management, restoring riparian vegetation, reforestation, and soil conservation are also employed to help sustain the tributaries and river system.
The two main tributaries of the Mississippi River system, the Missouri and Ohio Rivers, are not just vital components of the river system, but are also important to the people and nature they flow through and serve. Through careful observation and strategic planning, these powerful and beautiful rivers can be managed sustainably and provide the essential benefits of life for generations to come.
Shifting Perspectives of Tributaries and Mississippi
Throughout its long history, the Mississippi River system has known to evoke a wide range of emotions. The tributaries of the Mississippi, like the Missouri and Ohio Rivers, are no less impressive. Yet, in recent years, the concern over water pollution and its effect on the rivers and its tributaries have pushed many people to reflect on the rivers’ desirability as a resource, changing the public perception towards it.
The overall state of the Mississippi River system has been major reason for this shift in opinion. Human activity in the tributaries and the Mississippi has caused serious water pollution, leading to adjacent waterways and land areas becoming dirty and hazardous. This has caused some people to view the river system a liability rather than an asset.
Fortunately, efforts to mitigate water pollution have pushed people to reassess the worth of the two tributaries, as well as the MississippiRiver itself. After all, if polluted, the tributaries can bring irreversible harm within the river system. Through focusing on the protection, restoration, and conservation of water, people have taken a step in the right direction.
Visualization of Tributaries and Mississippi
When thinking of the two main tributaries, the Missouri and Ohio Rivers, it is difficult to visualize and appreciate the entire breadth of the entire Mississippi River system. Seeing the entirety of the river system may give a much clearer picture of why the Mississippi and its numerous tributaries are important.
Photographs and videos, such as drone footage, can help bring people closer to the rivers. One example is the Drone Mississippi project by the Nature Conservancy. Through the project’s images, the beauty and power of the Mississippi River system can be seen in a different way. The project has also documented the human stories within the rivers and tributaries, shedding light on how these rivers have shaped the lives of many.
Seeing the true grandeur of the two tributaries, as well as the whole Mississippi River system, can help enrich people’s appreciation of the rivers and motivate them to take action in maintaining the rivers’ condition. The opportunity to glimpse the majestic beauty of nature that the Mississippi offers should be fully shared and enjoyed.
